[168]"We had seen the drinking of kava sometimes at the other islands, but, by no means, so frequently as here, where it seems to be the only forenoon employment of the principal people.  The kava is a species of pepper, which they cultivate for this purpose, and esteem it a valuable article, taking great care to defend the young plants from any injury; and it is commonly planted about their houses.  It seldom grows to more than a man’s height, though I have seen some plants almost double that.  It branches considerably, with large heart-shaped leaves, and jointed stalks.  The root is the only part that is used at the Friendly Islands, which, being dug up, is given to the servants that attend, who, breaking it in pieces, scrape the dirt off with a shell, or bit of stick, and then each begins and chews his portion, which he spits into a piece of plantain leaf.  The person who is to prepare the liquor, collects all these mouthfuls; and puts them into a large wooden dish, or bowl, adding as much water as will make it of a proper strength.  It is then well mixed up with the hands, and some loose stuff, of which mats are made, is thrown upon the surface, which intercepts the fibrous part, and is wrung hard, to get as much liquid out from it, as is possible.  The manner of distributing it need not be repeated.  The quantity which is put into each cup is commonly about a quarter of a pint.  The immediate effect of this beverage is not perceptible on these people, who use it so frequently; but on some of ours, who ventured to try it, though so nastily prepared, it had the same power as spirits have, in intoxicating them; or, rather, it produced that kind of stupefaction, which is the consequence of using opium, or other substances of that kind.  It should be observed, at the same time, that though these islanders have this liquor always fresh prepared, and I have seen them drink it seven times before noon, it is, nevertheless, so disagreeable, or, at least, seems so, that the greatest part of them cannot swallow it without making wry faces, and shuddering, afterward,”

[Footnote 168:  The following account of kava, to the end of this paragraph, is inserted from Mr Anderson’s journal.—­D.]

As soon as this mourning ceremony was over, we left Mooa, and set out to return to the ships.  While we rowed down the lagoon, or inlet, we met with two canoes coming in from fishing.  Poulaho ordered them to be called alongside our boat, and took from them every fish and shell they had got.  He, afterward, stopped two other canoes, and searched them, but they had nothing.  Why this was done I cannot say, for we had plenty provisions in the boat.  Some of this fish he gave to me, and his servants sold the rest on board the ship.  As we proceeded down the inlet, we overtook a large sailing canoe.  Every person on board her, that was upon his legs when we came up, sat down till we had passed; even the man who steered, though he could not manage the helm, except in a standing posture.