expressed from a leaf. There is no variety, in the fashion of
dressing i t ; it is pulled tight up all round, and is formed at
top into a compact knot, so as to conceal the crown of the
head, which is .shaved; through the knot are thrust two
metal pins, one of which has a square point and flowered
head consisting of six leaves or divisions; the other pin has
one end sharp, and the other shaped like a scoop: the length
of these pins is ;from four to six inches. We did not see
the Prince’s, as he remained covered during all the time of
his visit; but the Chief of high rank, who visited the Alcestq
on the 23d of September, had the flowered end of one pin
studded with precious stones. The higher orders wear, on
state occasions, what they called a “ hatchee-matchee,” which
is a kind of turban, apparently made by winding a broad band
round a cylinder, in such a way, that a small segment of
ea,ch fold is shewn at. every turn, in front above, and behind
below; this is effected by giving a slight diagonal direction
to each fold. The. lower orders occasionally tie a coloured
cloth or handkerchief round th e . he ad; this they call
“ s a d j e e n e x t the. body they wear a thin cotton dress.
The men wear no ornaments through their flesh, nor are
they tattooed : we saw, indeed, some fishermen who had fish
spears marked on their arms, but this does not prevail
generally. An etching of these marks, is given by Mr.
Clifford in the second part of the Vocabulary.
The cattle on this island, which are of a small black
breed, are used exclusively for agricultural purposes. Hogs,
goats, and poultry, with rice and a great variety of vegetables,
form the food of the inhabitants: milk is never used.
We saw no geese, so that those left by Captain Broughton
most probably did not thrive. They have no sheep nor
asses. Their horses are of a small slight make, and the
natives are very fond of riding. We saw no carts or wheeled
carriages of any kind, horses being used to carry loads; for
this purpose the roads are numerous, and kept in excellent
ordei*, being from six to ten feet wide.
Their mode of dressing the ground is neat, and resembles
the Chinese, particularly in manuring and irrigating
it. This is most attended to where the sugar-cane is
cultivated: they have, besides, tobacco, wheat, rice,
Indian corn, millet, sweet potatoes, brinjals, and many
other vegetables. The fields, which are nicely squared,
have convenient walks on the raised banks running round
each. Along the sides of the hills, and round the
villages, the bamboo and rattan grow to a considerable
size. The pine is the most conspicuous tree on the island,
growing to a great height and size, which we infer from
seeing canoes built with planks several feet wide; the trees,
F F