uently as here, where it seems to be the only
forenoon employment of the principal people. The _kava_ is a species of
pepper, which they cultivate for this purpose, and esteem it a valuable
article, taking great care to defend the young plants from any injury;
and it is commonly planted about their houses. It seldom grows to more
than a man's height, though I have seen some plants almost double that.
It branches considerably, with large heart-shaped leaves, and jointed
stalks. The root is the only part that is used at the Friendly Islands,
which, being dug up, is given to the servants that attend, who, breaking
it in pieces, scrape the dirt off with a shell, or bit of stick, and
then each begins and chews his portion, which he spits into a piece of
plantain leaf. The person who is to prepare the liquor, collects all
these mouthfuls; and puts them into a large wooden dish, or bowl, adding
as much water as will make it of a proper strength. It is then well
mixed up with the hands, and some loose stuff, of which mats are made,
is thrown upon the surface, which intercepts the fibrous part, and is
wrung hard, to get as much liquid out from it, as is possible. The
manner of distributing it need not be repeated. The quantity which is
put into each cup is commonly about a quarter of a pint. The immediate
effect of this beverage is not perceptible on these people, who use it
so frequently; but on some of ours, who ventured to try it, though so
nastily prepared, it had the same power as spirits have, in intoxicating
them; or, rather, it produced that kind of stupefaction, which is the
consequence of using opium, or other substances of that kind. It should
be observed, at the same time, that though these islanders have this
liquor always fresh prepared, and I have seen them drink it seven times
before noon, it is, nevertheless, so disagreeable, or, at least, seems
so, that the greatest part of them cannot swallow it without making wry
faces, and shuddering, afterward,"

[Footnote 168: The following account of _kava_, to the end of this
paragraph, is inserted from Mr Anderson's journal.--D.]

As soon as this mourning ceremony was over, we left Mooa, and set out to
return to the ships. While we rowed down the _lagoon_, or inlet, we met
with two canoes coming in from fishing. Poulaho ordered them to be
called alongside our boat, and took from them every fish and shell they
had got. He, afterward, stopped two other canoes, and searche