Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Description Of The Natives Of Easter Island.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NATIVES OF EASTER ISLAND _ .
BY M . ROLLItf , SVRGF . OS OF PEHOUSE ' S sinr- ON- A LATE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY .
npIHS island has by no means the barren and disgusting appearance - " - ascribed to it by navigators ; it is indeed nearly destitute of trees , but its shore and vallies offer to the eye of the seaman at least a very pleasing covering of verdure . The size and excellence of its potatoes , yams , and sugar-canes , announce the fertility of the soil . Errors as great have been entertained concerning its inhabitants ; we do not find either the giants of Roggewein , or the half-starved
pining wretches described by a modern navigator , who has characterized them by a misery that has no existence . Far from finding men worn down by penury , and a small proportion of women , who have with difficulty escaped being buried tinder the ruins of a supposed revolution in that part ofthe world ; I fsund , on the contrary , a considerable population , more liberally endowed with grace and
beauty than any which I afterwards met with ; and a soil which , with very little trouble , furnished excellent provision beyond the supply of their wants ; though fresh water was difficult to be met with , and of a very indifferent quality . These islanders are a stout , handsome , well made race of people , about five feet nine inches hi gh . The colour of the face is not remarkably different From that of Europeans . They have but little hair on the chin and the rest of the body , except on the parts of
sex , and beneath the armpits . The colour of the skin is tawny , and the hair black ; sometimes , however , it occurs of a li ghter shade . They appear in general to enjoy good health even in advanced age . They are accustomed to paint and tattoo the skin , and bore the ears , through which they insert a sugar cane leaf rolled up in a spiral form , so as at length to cause the lobe of the ear to rest on the shoulders , ; a practice whichamong the men at leastis esteemed a great beauty .
, , The women to a regular shape unite much grace of form ; they have an agreeable oval face , and great mildness and intelligence in their features ; they only want a mixture of the rose in their complexions to make them' handsome , according to P 2 uropean ideas of beauty '; their litre hair , their rounded limbs , their engaging appearance , are well calculated to inspire sentiments , which they feel
Without being under the necessity of concealment . Notwithstanding these ititeresting qualifies , the men appear to-entertain no jealous sentiments ; on 'the contrary , they sought for opportunities of selling 'their favours . These people are circumcised , and seem to live in pure anarchy , without any chief . Both men and women are almost naked , no part of thebody except the parts of sex being-concealed ; some of them indeed wear a piece of cloth round their shoulders-or-hips , which reaches as low as-their mid thi g h " .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Description Of The Natives Of Easter Island.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NATIVES OF EASTER ISLAND _ .
BY M . ROLLItf , SVRGF . OS OF PEHOUSE ' S sinr- ON- A LATE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY .
npIHS island has by no means the barren and disgusting appearance - " - ascribed to it by navigators ; it is indeed nearly destitute of trees , but its shore and vallies offer to the eye of the seaman at least a very pleasing covering of verdure . The size and excellence of its potatoes , yams , and sugar-canes , announce the fertility of the soil . Errors as great have been entertained concerning its inhabitants ; we do not find either the giants of Roggewein , or the half-starved
pining wretches described by a modern navigator , who has characterized them by a misery that has no existence . Far from finding men worn down by penury , and a small proportion of women , who have with difficulty escaped being buried tinder the ruins of a supposed revolution in that part ofthe world ; I fsund , on the contrary , a considerable population , more liberally endowed with grace and
beauty than any which I afterwards met with ; and a soil which , with very little trouble , furnished excellent provision beyond the supply of their wants ; though fresh water was difficult to be met with , and of a very indifferent quality . These islanders are a stout , handsome , well made race of people , about five feet nine inches hi gh . The colour of the face is not remarkably different From that of Europeans . They have but little hair on the chin and the rest of the body , except on the parts of
sex , and beneath the armpits . The colour of the skin is tawny , and the hair black ; sometimes , however , it occurs of a li ghter shade . They appear in general to enjoy good health even in advanced age . They are accustomed to paint and tattoo the skin , and bore the ears , through which they insert a sugar cane leaf rolled up in a spiral form , so as at length to cause the lobe of the ear to rest on the shoulders , ; a practice whichamong the men at leastis esteemed a great beauty .
, , The women to a regular shape unite much grace of form ; they have an agreeable oval face , and great mildness and intelligence in their features ; they only want a mixture of the rose in their complexions to make them' handsome , according to P 2 uropean ideas of beauty '; their litre hair , their rounded limbs , their engaging appearance , are well calculated to inspire sentiments , which they feel
Without being under the necessity of concealment . Notwithstanding these ititeresting qualifies , the men appear to-entertain no jealous sentiments ; on 'the contrary , they sought for opportunities of selling 'their favours . These people are circumcised , and seem to live in pure anarchy , without any chief . Both men and women are almost naked , no part of thebody except the parts of sex being-concealed ; some of them indeed wear a piece of cloth round their shoulders-or-hips , which reaches as low as-their mid thi g h " .