Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-09-08
Practices of the Polynesians.

From Ma Motu, Narrative of the Adventures at
the Hawaiian, Georgian, and Society Islands, by
Edward r. Perkins, we copy the following descriP-
ton of of the peculiar practices OF Inc folyne
slams
Without knocking, we entered, and Allalre was
recognised by all. judge from the storm OF saua-
lions that followed My estimate as to the quanuty
of the assemblage had not been premature mere
were present more than dozen natives OF ooth sex
es old and young INDUCING in lively gossip The
group that first riveted attention was that occu
pyng the centre of the apartment. Here were halt
dozen young girls, of them IN destG6aue Sill
ting upon the mats around huge caabash each girl
having bunch of ava roots beside her, poruons OF
which all were chewing. Alter reducinglG 70 pull
DIV consistency between their beautifully white teeth
hey would toss it into the large calabash, while their
mouths were relieved from superhcOus secretons by
a smaller vessel placed for that purpose lhougn
ostensibly engaged in conversation, 1t was eVioent
that the sentiments of the old folks were In the Gala
BASH to Judge from the longing gances cast upon IT,
[ noticed a venerable looking individual (hls only
attire a mGlo) who leaned completely against the
centre post and watched intently his hearts delight
Alae, after firing shot here and there, proceeded
10 comment upon the sub Ject before US.
You observe said be, that in preparing the
root as it should be, recourse is had to none but
mouths of unquestionable purity. Albeit the lips
are vonptuOus the rosy cavity, with It's appendage
OF Immaculate ivory, is model OF mascatlon; and
as lungs their breath is as pure as the atmosphere
from the root is peculiar. After drinking it you
should retire quiet spot, where you can re-
pose undisturbed, with your head moderately eleva-
ted and the dreams OF an opium smoker cannot SUI
pass the pleasing reveries that will fit through your
Uranium Its continued use affects the skin, causing
it to peel off To notice the epiderms of some Of
these lank gentry who have been long indulgng re-
minds one OF snake during moultng season. Oh
course speak As an outsider. You shall for your
self presently.
Knowing that the preparation OF the root was ia
boocd, or prohibited, was surprised to see a young
man present who SportCd red band on his hat one
OF the in> gnIa OF constable, aud ! sought an ex
planaiion
Let me again impress upon your mind that there
is no kingdom in the world where appearances ar
more deceptive than in this. That fellow yonder is
no constable than ! am. His mother ha
probably been making red flannel shirt for his faith
er, and by way OF coaXng him to weed the taro
patch, she has condo: cendingly sewed the trimming
upon his cap, Gold bands you have probably no
ced are Tie rage among all classes of colors Blu
don't deceive yourself into The belief that they ar
cricrons of rank, for the kings jockey sports
broader one than his Majesty.
Our colloquy was interrupted by exclamation
+ from some of the girls of" Ia pau kakou"' (w
=, have done,) meaning that they had finished sou
native then approached the calabash of mastlcate
roots and half filled it with water fir, m smae
vessel. After this he rolled up his sleeves and com
menced kneading the mass with his hand until tn
liquid assumed the appearance OF soap-suds Then
from the inner fibre of cocoanut husk, he fashone
il sort of birds-uest funnel which was to serve tn
double purpose of purifier and straner, and holding
it over Of the small drinking vessels he poure
the liquid into it as ii filtered slowly through, Will
: the minute particles or impurities adhered to th
strainer. The drinking vessels consisted of glas
tumhlers, earthen bowls, cocoanut shells, and sma
gourds. AS fast they filled, they were hand
+ ed to the company, who received them with undis
gused satisfaction. Allaie appropriated one of tn
o gourds, and gave glassfu of the opaque lquiC
insisting that | should drink it. | mostened N
liIs, and returned the repuIsive mixture.