tures, fine hands, beautiful feet, of elegant stature; and, moreover, surpassing the most beautiful women of Lima. What Lima may have exhibited in 1595 we cannot exactly arrive at; but, at the present day, the comparison will not bear repetition. We were not fortunate enough to see any of these extraordinary beauties.

In

Their features are regular, complexion good, teeth perfect, hands neat, but feet far from elegant. Indeed, the term elegant, as applied to woman, does not belong to any condition out of the sphere of civilization. stature they vary considerably; from the sylph-like Spaniard to the substantial English bouncer. Of the latter order was the king's sister-who was well able to take her own part. Undoubtedly they are the finest.of the sex we have met in Polynesia. The peculiar brilliancy of the eyes and teeth, added to a soft languor of expression, which is seldom witnessed in polished society, has, I fear, bewildered the senses of their first visitants. They evidently witnessed more than we did. None of the extraordinary advances or improprieties charged against them were displayed. They are also charged with want of affection or attachment. Of course we are not in a condition to negative this charge; but I should, from personal observation, suspect this to be unfounded. In the instance of the queen dowager, she pretended, at all events, to doat on the memory of Commodore Porter; displayed his presents and picture with a tear in her eye, and repeatedly inquired if I knew him. She is now rather old. At all events, grateful recollection remains.

In another case, where I had to investigate a serious quarrel between two English residents, the case evidently hinged upon conjugal affection. I have also remarked very great attachment towards each other. Other strong cases were related by the pilot. On the other hand, I think it not a little remarkable that, looking on either hand at Tahiti, Sandwich Islands, or the Navigators, we notice marriages contracted with native women; if the females, then, of the Marquesas bear such characters for beauty, surely it is strange that we do not observe them transplanted to some of those islands, or to the American continent.

Their dress is very simple. A few folds of native cloth round the waist form a petticoat; and a kind of shawl of similar material, gracefully passed obliquely across the body, completes their costume. They are particularly fond of bathing; and in this respect exhibited a proof of modesty, by selecting unfrequented spots. There are always exceptions.

One great peculiarity the females enjoy at these islands is, their freedom from danger in war. They are considered as flags of truce, particularly chief women; and can pass from side to side at pleasure.

They are not subject to the exemption of eating with the males, as formerly in Tahiti and the Sandwich Islands.

With respect to their religious amelioration, I much fear that the day is yet distant when they will be brought into comparison with Tahiti. There is no power to lead, no king to command; and they are too impatient of resrtaint to listen to the missionaries.

VOL. II.

Y

Another strong reason against any important change, is their original loose worship of images. Had they been accustomed to place faith in the heathen worship, as in other islands, their minds might have been directed to a more powerful source to which they should address their prayers.

THE REGIONS OF VEGETATION;

BEING

AN ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF VEGETABLE FORMS OVER THE SURFACE OF THE GLOBE

IN CONNEXION WITH

CLIMATE AND PHYSICAL AGENTS.

BY

RICHARD BRINSLEY HINDS, Esq.

SURGON, R. N.

ATTACHED TO THE EXPEDITION.