AMSTERDAM, or Tongataboo, is also the name of an
island.
island in the South sea, said to have been discovered by Tasman a Dutch navigator. It was also visited by Captain Cook. Its greatest extent from east to west is about 21 miles, and from north to south about 13. It is broad at the east end, and runs taper towards the west, where it turns, and runs to a point due north. It is about six leagues to the west of Middleburgh. The shore is surrounded by a coral rock, and its most elevated parts are not above six or eight yards above the level of the sea. S. Lat. 21. 11. W. Long. 175. It is wholly laid out in plantations, in which are cultivated some of the richest productions of nature.
Here are bread-fruit, cocoa-nut trees, plantains, bananas, shaddocks, yams, and some other roots, sugar-canes, and a fruit like a nectarine called by the natives figbege. There did not appear an inch of waste ground: the roads occupied no more space than was absolutely necessary: the fences did not take up above four inches each; and even these were not wholly lost, for in many grew some useful trees or plants: it was everywhere the same, change of place altered not the scene: nature, assisted by a little art, nowhere appeared with more splendour than on this island. Water is not so plentiful here as at the Society islands; but the chief pointed out a pool of fresh water unasked, to supply the ships with that necessary article. Casuarinas, pandangs, and wild fago palms, appear here with their various tints of green, and barringtonia as big as the loftiest oaks. The bread-fruit does not, however, thrive here with the same luxuriance as at the Society islands; the coral rock, which composes the basis of this spot, being much more thinly covered with mould.
Both men and women are of the common size of Europeans, and their colour is that of a lightish copper; they are well shaped, have regular features, are active, brisk, and lively. They have fine eyes, and in general good teeth, even to an advanced age. The women are the merriest creatures imaginable, and incessant talkers. In general, they appear to be modest; although there was no want of those of a different stamp. Among the natives, who swam about the ship very vociferously, were a considerable number of women, who wanted in the water like amphibious creatures, and were easily persuaded to come on board perfectly naked; but none of them ventured to stay there after sunset, but returned to the shore to pass the night, like the greater part of the inhabitants, under the shade of the wild wood which lined the coast. There they lighted great fires, and were heard conversing almost the whole night. The hair of both sexes in general is black, but especially that of the women; both sexes wear it short, except a single lock on the top of the head, and a small quantity on each side. The men cut or shave their beards quite close; which operation they perform with two shells. The hair of many was observed to be burnt at the ends, and fireweed with a white powder, which was found, on examining it, to be lime made of shell or coral, which had corroded or burnt the hair; some made use of a blue powder, and others, both men and women, of an orange coloured powder made of turmeric.
The dress of both sexes consists of a piece of cloth or matting wrapped round the waist, and hanging down below the knees. From the waist upwards they
are generally naked; and it seems to be a custom to anoint these parts every morning. The practice of tattooing, or puncturing the skin, likewise prevails. The men are tattooed from the middle of the thigh to above the hips; the women have it only on their arms and fingers, and on those parts but very slightly. Their ornaments are amulets, necklaces, and bracelets, the bone, shells, and beads of mother-of-pearl, tortoise-shell, &c. which are worn by men as well as women. The women also wear on their fingers neat rings made of tortoise-shell, and pieces in their ears about the size of a small quill: but here ornaments are not commonly worn, though all have their ears pierced. They have also a curious apron, made of the cocoa-nut shell; and composed of a number of small pieces sewed together in such a manner as to form stars, half-moons, little squares, &c.; it is studded with beads and shells, and covered with red feathers, so as to have a pleasing effect. They make the same kind of cloth, and of the same materials, as at Otaheite, though they have not such a variety, nor do they make any so fine; but as they have a method of glazing it, it is more durable, and will resist rain for some time, which the other cloth would not. Their colours are black, brown, yellow, purple, and red; all made from vegetables. They make various sorts of matting, some of a very fine texture, which is generally used for clothing; and the thick and stronger sort serves to sleep upon, and to make sails for their canoes, &c. Among other useful utensils, they have various sorts of baskets, some made of the same materials as their mats, and others of the twisted fibres of cocoa-nuts. These are not only durable, but beautiful, being generally composed of different colours, and studded with beads made of shells or bones. They have many little nicknacks among them, which show that they neither want taste to design, nor skill to execute, whatever they take in hand. Their fishing implements are much the same as in other islands: here was purchased a fish-net made like our casting nets, knit of very firm though slender threads.
Notwithstanding their friendly disposition, these people have very formidable weapons; some of their spears have many barbs, and must be very dangerous weapons when they take effect. A large flat shell or breastplate was purchased, made of a roundish bone, white and polished like ivory, about 18 inches in diameter, which appeared to have belonged to an animal of the whale tribe.