The climate, products, character, and condition of the inhabitants of the other islands are similar to those of Tahiti, as above described.
In the Society Islands the rainy season, the only variation of the tropical year, occurs when the sun is and generally continues from December to March : during this time the climate is more insalubrious and the sickness of the inhabitants greater than at any other period. Thunder and lightning are frequent, especially in the rainy season.
Hogs and dogs, and sometimes rats, were the only animals whose flesh was foimerly eaten by the natives. The missionaries have introduced all our domestic animals; and all have succeeded very well, except the sheep. Many of the natives now possess hundreds of cattle, which, with their other produce, they sell, with mutual advan tage, to the ships which tench at the islands for refreshments. Rabbits could not be preserved; cats have become common in houses, and are great favourites. The birds of these and the neighbouring islands are not distinguished by brilliancy of plumage or melody of song. There are however several varieties, and some of them in immense numbers. The most numerous class are the aquatic, fowl. The albatross, the tropic bird, several kinds of petrel, with others, abound in all the islands, especially in Borabora and Mauarua. Among the lakes are several kinds of heron ; and wild ducks resort to the lagoons and marshes. There are several kinds of birds of prey, and a number of the woodpecker tribe, with some small paroqueta of rich and splendid plumage. The turtle-dove is found in the inland parts of some of the islands, and pigeons among the mountains. Among the few singing-birds the most conspicuous is that called by the natives 'omaomao,' which in appearance and note much resembles the thrush, Domestic fowl are abundant, and were found in the islands when originally discovered.
The Society Islanders are generally above the middle stature, bud their limbs are much lees muscular and firm than those of the Sand wich Islanders, whom in many respects they resemble ; but they are more robust than the Marquesans, who are the most light and agile o. the inhabitants of Eastern Polynesia. In size and physical power they are Inferior to the New Zealanders. The countenance of the Society Islanders is open and prepossessing, though the features are bold anc sometimes prominent The facial angle is frequently as elevated as it the European. The prevailing complexion is an olive, a bronze, ol
a reddish-brown.
The mental capacity of the Society Islanders has hitherto been onl: partially developed. They are remarkably curious and inquisitive and, compared with other Polynesian nations, may be said to posses considerable ingenuity, mechanical invention, and imitation. Thy distinguishing features of their civil polity—the imposing nature numerous observances, and diversified ramifications of their limpet stiLbn—the legends of their gods—the historical songs of their bard —the beautiful, figurative, and impassioned eloquence sometime displayed in their national assemblies—and, above all, the copiousness variety, precision, and purity of their language, with their extensiv use of numbers warrant the conclusion that they possess no meal mental capabilities.
By discloses, wore, infanticide, and the use of ardent spirits, th large population which these islands formerly contained was reducer s a mere remnant when the missionaries came among them. The eneral adoption of Christianity put a stop to the evils in which this ecline had originated; but for some years after the number of deaths onsiderably exceeded the births. About the years 1819 and 1820, he births were nearly equal to the deaths, and sine that period the opulation has been rapidly increasing. Tho latest information esti mites the inhabitants of these islands at 18,000 or 20,000. Most of he natives can now real and write. Their moral conduct has *come more regular, and their social condition much improved ; they lave acquired the knowledge of various useful arts, and profitable ranches of commerce have been opened. Numerous vessels of from ,0 to 80 tons burden are usefully employed in trade, and in maintain og an intercourse between the several islands. A press has for many .ears been actively engaged in supplying the natives with publications o their own language, suited to their wants and their condition.
(Ellis, Polynesian iesearches ; Voyages of Wallis, Cook, and Wilson; ryerraan and Bennet, Voyage round the World ; Williams, Missionary ';'nterpri.ses ; the Reports and Magazine of the London Missionary Society, &c.)