length and breadth as they want; generally leaving a border, of a foot broad, at the sides, and longer at the ends, unstained.  Throughout the whole, if any parts of the original pieces are too thin, or have holes, which is often the case, they glue spare bits upon them, till they become of an equal thickness.  When they want to produce a black colour, they mix the soot procured from an oily nut, called dooedooe, with the juice of the kokka, in different quantities, according to the proposed depth of the tinge.  They say, that the black sort of cloth, which is commonly most glazed, makes a cold dress, but the other a warm one; and, to obtain strength in both, they are always careful to join the small pieces lengthwise, which makes it impossible to tear the cloth in any direction but one.

On our return from the country, we met with Feenou, and took him, and another young chief, on board to dinner.  When our fare was set upon the table, neither of them would eat a bit; saying, that they were taboo avy.  But, after enquiring how the victuals had been dressed, having found that no avy (water) had been used in cooking a pig; and some yams, they both sat down, and made a very hearty meal; and, on being assured that there was no water in the wine, they drank of it also.  From this we conjectured, that, on some account or another, they were, at this time, forbidden to use water; or, which was more probable, they did not like the water we made use of, it being taken up out of one of their bathing-places.  This was not the only time of our meeting with people that were taboo avy; but, for what reason, we never could tell with any degree of certainty.

Next day, the 17th, was fixed upon by Mareewagee, for giving a grand Haiva, or entertainment, to which we were all invited.  For this purpose a large space had been cleared, before the temporary hut of this chief, near our post, as an area where the performances were to be exhibited.  In the morning, great multitudes of the natives came in from the country, every one carrying a pole, about six feet long, upon his shoulder; and at each end of every pole, a yam was suspended.  These yams and poles were deposited on each side of the area, so as to form two large heaps, decorated with different sorts of small fish, and piled up to the greatest advantage.  They were Mareewagee’s present to Captain Clerke and me; and it was hard to say, whether the wood for fuel, or the yams for food, were of most value to us.  As for the fish, they might serve to please the sight, but were very offensive to the smell; part of them having been kept two or three days, to be presented to us on this occasion.