They have a singular custom of putting every thing you give them to their heads, by way of thanks, as we conjectured.  This manner of paying a compliment, is taught them from their very infancy; for when we gave things to little children, the mother lifted up the child’s hand to its head.  They also used this custom in their exchanges with us; whatever we gave them for their goods, was always applied to the head, just as if it had been given them for nothing.  Sometimes they would look at our goods, and if not approved, return them back; but whenever they applied them to the head, the bargain was infallibly struck.  When I had made a present to the chief of any thing curious, I frequently saw it handed from one to another; and every one, into whose hands it came, put it to the head.  Very often the women would take hold of my hand, kiss it, and lift it to their heads.  From all this it should seem, that this custom, which they call fagafatie, has various significations according as it is applied; all, however, complimentary.

It must be observed, that the sullen chief or king did not pay me any of these compliments for the presents I made him.

A still more singular custom prevails in these isles:  We observed that the greater part of the people, both men and women, had lost one, or both their little fingers.  We endeavoured, but in vain, to find out the reason of this mutilation; for no one would take any pains to inform us.  It was neither peculiar to rank, age, or sex; nor is it done at any certain age, as I saw those of all ages on whom the amputation had been just made; and, except some young children, we found few who had both hands perfect.  As it was more common among the aged than the young, some of us were of opinion that it was occasioned by the death of their parents, or some other near relation.  But Mr Wales one day met with a man, whose hands were both perfect, of such an advanced age, that it was hardly possible his parents could be living.  They also burn or make incisions in their cheeks, near the cheek-bone.  The reason of this was equally unknown to us.  In some, the wounds were quite fresh; in others, they could only be known by the scars, or colour of the skin.  I saw neither sick nor lame amongst them; all appeared healthy, strong, and vigorous; a proof of the goodness of the climate in which they live.

I have frequently mentioned a king, which implies the government being in a single person, without knowing for certain whether it is so or no.  Such an one was however pointed out to us; and we had no reason to doubt it.  From this, and other circumstances, I am of opinion that the government is much like that of Otaheite:  That is, in a king or great chief, who is here called Areeke, with other chiefs under him, who are lords of certain districts, and perhaps sole proprietors, to whom the people seem to pay great obedience.  I also observed a third rank, who had not a little authority over the common people; my