eir sex.

The natives brought off today two different kinds of roots that grow like
yams: one they call Ettee, which is a sweet root, common also to the
Friendly Islands, and may be eaten as a sweetmeat: the other they call
Appay, a root like the Tyah or Eddie in the West Indies. A fruit called
Ayyah, which is the jambo of Batavia, was likewise brought off to us:
they are as large as middle-sized apples, very juicy and refreshing, and
may be eaten in large quantities. Also some Avees, which are the real
Otaheite apple; but they were not yet in season. These are a delicious
high-flavoured fruit and before they are ripe answer the culinary
purposes of our apples.

Tuesday 4.

A chief called Tootaha, who came from the island Ulietea, was introduced
to me today by Tinah as one of his particular friends. I was told that he
was a priest and a person of great knowledge. I desired Tinah to take
what he thought proper as a present for him; and I must do Tinah the
justice to say he was more sparing than I should have been. I likewise
received a visit today from Oedidee, the man who had been at sea with
Captain Cook in 1773 and 1774, as related in the account of that voyage.
He still retained some of the English words which he had learnt in that
expedition.

Wednesday 5.

The weather variable with lightning and frequent showers of rain. Wind
east-north-east.

This was the first day of our beginning to take up plants: we had much
pleasure in collecting them for the natives offered their assistance and
perfectly understood the method of taking them up and pruning them.

The crowd of natives was not so great as hitherto it had been: the
curiosity of strangers was satisfied and, as the weather began to be
unsettled and rainy, they had almost all returned to their homes so that
only the people of Matavai and Oparre remained with us, except a few
chiefs from other islands: our supplies however were abundant and what I
considered as no small addition to our comforts, we ceased to be
incommoded when on shore by the natives following us, and could take our
walks almost unnoticed. In any house that we wished to enter we always
experienced a kind reception and without officiousness. The Otaheiteans
have the most perfect easiness of manners, equally free from forwardness
and formality. When they offer refreshments if they are not accepted they
do not think of offering them the second time; for they have not the
least idea of that cer