erefore, can be imagined more
singular than the appearance of these nearly naked damsels immediately
after the application of the cosmetic. To look at one of them you would
almost suppose she was some vegetable in an unripe state; and that,
instead of living in the shade for ever, she ought to be placed out in the
sun to ripen.

All the islanders are more or less in the habit of anointing themselves;
the women preferring the "aker" or "papa," and the men using the oil of
the cocoa-nut. Mehevi was remarkably fond of mollifying his entire cuticle
with this ointment. Sometimes he might be seen with his whole body fairly
reeking with the perfumed oil of the nut, looking as if he had just
emerged from a soap-boiler's vat, or had undergone the process of dipping
in a tallow-chandlery. To this cause, perhaps, united to their frequent
bathing, and extreme cleanliness, is ascribable, in a great measure, the
marvellous purity and smoothness of skin exhibited by the natives in
general.

The prevailing tint among the women of the valley was a light olive, and
of this style of complexion Fayaway afforded the most beautiful example.
Others were still darker, while not a few were of a genuine golden colour,
and some of a swarthy hue.

As agreeing with much previously mentioned in this narrative, I may here
observe, that Mendanna, their discoverer, in his account of the Marquesas,
described the natives as wondrously beautiful to behold, and as nearly
resembling the people of Southern Europe. The first of these islands seen
by Mendanna was La Madelena, which is not far distant from Nukuheva; and
its inhabitants in every respect resemble those dwelling on that and the
other islands of the group. Figueroa, the chronicler of Mendanna's voyage,
says, that on the morning the land was descried, when the Spaniards drew
near the shore, there sallied forth, in rude procession, about seventy
canoes, and at the same time many of the inhabitants (females, I presume)
made towards the ships by swimming. He adds, that "in complexion they were
nearly white, of good stature, and finely formed; and on their faces and
bodies were delineated representations of fishes and other devices." The
old Don then goes on to say, "There came, among others, two lads paddling
their canoe, whose eyes were fixed on the ship; they had beautiful faces,
and the most promising animation of countenance, and were in all things so
becoming, that the pilot-mayor, Quiros, affir