Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-23
MORNINGS IN THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
FIRST MORNING.

Having recently devoted an occasional hour the exam
nation Of the Exploring Expedition cuosites in the Museum
Of the National Institute the idea has occurred to the writer
Of this that something might be done towards inspclng and
readers by describing the various articles that
have attracted bis attention. If apology necessary
for writing upon this subject the TACT might be mentioned that
the number Of persons who annually visit the National Mu
scum estimated seventy thound and besides there
is no printed catalogue Of this collection, hough scientific
is in prepaaton desuy remarks may be received
sort of temporary substitute.
We would in the present paper direct attention the glass
cases numbered O. g. and which contain the various
ces brought by the expedition under the command Of Capt
Wilkes from the Feee Islands, the population Of which
numbers about 1873. 600 inhabitants.
And FIRST as to their favore implement Of war, the Fe
ice club The collection here brought together quite com
lcte consisting Of the aioma, aron, oka, and ula They
vary form and size, and being made Of brown ebony and
wood and completely knoted, appear to be terrible
weapon indeed Some Of the specimens resemble the war
club Of the American Indian only that the former finished
with greater care and extensively ornamened When
Fejee warrior has taken the life Of enemy with his club
he does not like the Pawnee Indian take the scalp of thede
ceased and attach to his gde, but he extracts one OF his
handsomest teeth and sets it jewel IN the head OF his club
and therefore, whenever you Feee club onamented
with dozen Of these Jewels you may know that dozen
souls have been dispatched by into the world to come But
this is not the only which the Feees proclaim and
perpeuae their deeds of blood for they have fashion of
making necklaces out Of human teeth which the young he
of the nation in the habit of presenting to their
brides From this fact may conclude that the Fejee la
dies are particularly partial to Seine of teeth"
number of these ornaments may be in the collection
der consideration.
Of Fejee WIgs, Combs and Pins there number Of
good specimens. The wigs made Of human wool very
black and packed the skull 20 the thickness Of several
inches The combs and pins are made OF whaebone and
cocoanut bes. Feee barber is universally considered
Of the great of his naton and it is often the case
that whole day will be employed upon the head Of single
individual In connexion with this subject may mention
the Feee pillow which is made Of wood, (something like
wooden hose and employed to support the head when the
ropeter thereof would like to himself without spelling
the arrangement Of his hair II is invention peculiar to
the Feees believe, and quite curious. Several sPeci-
mems may be at the National Institute.
Shell Oraament-In this department Of art the Feees
well represented and the conchoogist will here lind beau
ful specimens of the peursheH and the orange e, the
latter being SO that single shells have been sell
for many hundred dollars.
Sea Slug.-This the name Of an article resembling
backened potato which exported from the Fese Islands
to China species Of food and considered by the Chinese
great deicacy In looking the article the wonder show
can the thing be mas,caed and it is certain that none but
native of the Celestial Empire would have the hahood to
attempt its establishment.
Ido.-Of these there three four specimens which
are painted black, and particularly hdeous
Musical Instruments and pipes here abun
dances the former CONSTRUCTED be bOcn Nth t
nose and the latter though exceedingly rude beara Gloss
resemblance the pipes used by the shepherds Of Scotland
the present day.
i Ftiec Drum.-Ths instrument resembles an In
dian dgou ordinary pgrough, and is sounded b!
beating the innerde. II is about four feet long and
in height and is the last thing the world that wou
| conclude to be drum.
Fiee Potivy-Of all the barbarians in the South Sea
who are known be acquainted with the manufacture Of pot
terry the Fejees the accomplished. The specimen
brought home by the Expedition quite numerous and il
texture and workmanship they really beautiful Tn
drinking vessels made with holes at the top and nstea
of placing them the mouth they held suspended
the mouth and the liquid poured down the throat BY hi
arrangement number Of persons drink from the sam
vessel without any offence the fasdious for il
remembered that the Fejees quite particular the,
are outrageous and barbarous in their customs.
Feiee Oracie.-This is an article made of cocoanu
SHE'LL and covered by Of glue with coating Of
let seeds Of the abrus species.
Fishing Nes-0f these there a great variety, an,
what renders them remarkable the fact that though mad
from the Hibiscus, they beautiful in texture tn
the above may be found variety Of mats fans, and aprons
which all well worth examining account Of their
rious mechanism.