Voyage, vol. iii. p. 135, observes, "That the Sandwich Islanders have the custom of tattowing the body in common with the rest of the natives of the South Sea Islands. The arms and hands of the women are also very neatly marked, and they have a singular custom among them, the meaning of which," Captain King says, "we could never learn, that of tattowing the tips of the tongues of the females. From some information we received relative to the custom of tattowing, we were inclined to think it was frequently intended as a sign of mourning on the death of a chief, or any other calamitous event; for we were often told, that such a particular mark was in memory of such a chief, and so of the rest. It may be here, too, observed, that the lowest class of natives are often tattowed with a mark that distinguishes them as the property of some chief."

Model of a Canoe. Nootka Sound.

New Zealand Canoe.

Models of Canoes of different nations, Eskimaux, Davis's Straits, New Zealand, &c.

Lines for Fishing, made of human hair.

Basket to hold liquids, from the Sandwich Islands, South Seas.

Bread Pounder, from Otaheite. It is made of black basaltes, and is an astonishing effort of labour, executed by a people to whom the use of iron instruments are unknown. It is used in pounding the breadfruit.

Spear-caster, from New Caledonia, by means of which the natives strike fish with a surprising celerity.

Caps, from Nootka, or King George's Sound, made of sea-grass finely woven together; on one is designed the process of their whale fishery. "This," says Captain Cook, "though rudely executed, serves to show, that though there is no appearance of the knowledge of letters among them, they have some notion of re

presenting actions in a lasting way, independent of what may be recorded in their songs and traditions." They are worn by both sexes without distinction.

Hats, from South America, made of the feathers of parrots and other birds.

Matting, from the South Sea Islands.

A Mantle, from New Zealand. This kind of ornament passes under the right arm, and ties over the left shoulder, by which means both arms are at liberty. It is made of flax so curiously knotted together, that on examination it must astonish the beholder; more especially when he considers that it was made by a nation to whom the loom is unknown.

Wooden Sword, from Botany Bay. It is worthy of remark, that when Captain Cook first discovered New Holland, he was surprised to behold the natives so expert in handling the sword after the European manner, from which he concluded they had seen and copied the use of that weapon.

Bows and Arrows of different nations.

Two small Cloaks, made of feathers, to cover the shoulders, from the South Seas.

GLASS CASE OF BOTANICAL SUBJECTS.

Most of the articles in this case were presented to the Museum by Dr. James E. Smith, President of the Linnæan Society.

Specimens of the Bark of the Lagetto Tree, the curious structure of which resembles gauze. King Charles II. it is said, had a pair of ruffles and a cravat made from this bark, which were presented to him by a merchant from Jamaica, which he frequently wore. The cloth of the South Sea Islands is made from a similar bark.

Fine specimen of the Banksia Serrata, in flower. This is one of the four species of Banksia described in the Supplementum Plantarum of Linnæus, speci

mens of which are contained in the Herbarium of that great naturalist, now in the possession of Dr. J. E. Smith.

The Banksia. Serrata is considered as the most stately of the genus: its trunk is thick and rugged. It is a native of New Holland, and received the denomination of Banksia in compliment to Sir Joseph Banks.

Banksia Serrata in Fruit, a fine specimen.-New Holland.

Wooden Pear (Xylomelum Pyriforme). This species was first discovered at Botany Bay, when the coast of New South Wales was first explored by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander. The natives call it the Merry-dugur-ro. The tree which bears this ligneous pear is an evergreen.

Heath-leaved Banksia (Banksia Erici-folia), from New Holland.

Yellow Gum (Xanthorrhoea Hastile) from Botany Bay.

Cylista Comosa, from Sierra Leone.

Afzelia Speciosa, from Sierra Leone.

New Zealand Flax, (Phormium Tenax) of which the natives make their cloaks, twine, &c.

Strings of Beads, made of aromatic berries, from South America.

Cotton in the pod and in flower,

CURIOSITIES

FROM NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA.

A Dress worn by the Eskimaux Indians, principally made of seal-skins, with the hairy side outwards. It is a kind of jacket, nearly resembling a carter's frock, with a hood to it, that fits tight round the face, which

is the only part of the body that is seen; the skirts of the frock reach nearly to the knee, and under it are worn a kind of drawers, made of the same materials as the above: the legs are covered with stockings made of skin, with very thick hair on, and over these are drawn a pair of curious boots, made of the skin of some sea animal. The whole of this dress is well calculated for the cold climate where it is worn. The sewing is performed with small sharp fish bones, and the sinews of the whale split into thin fibres for thread; yet we believe that few European tailors could exceed either the neatness or strength of the work.

Halter, made of the bark of the Lagetto or Cabbage

tree.

Maucassons, or Shoes, worn by the Indians of North America, ornamented with porcupine quills and tassels of red hair. The leather is said to be dressed in blood, which prevents the wearer's feet from freezing; on which account they are often used by Europeans in that country.

A Quiver of poisoned Arrows, with the Tube used in discharging them; brought from Demerara. These instruments of destruction are nine inches long, and about the thickness of a small quill; they are made of a light wood, sharply pointed, and are dipped in poison to the depth of two inches, which generally proves fatal to the object that is wounded by them: they are discharged with unerring certainty, by being blown through a hollow tube of wood, nine feet long. Near the quiver hangs a small basket, which contains a down-like substance, a small piece of which is put into the tube after the arrow, which prevents the escape of the air, and causes it to fly with almost incredible velocity.

An ornamental Belt, used by the North American Indians, for bringing home the skins of animals taken in hunting excursions.

Bow and Fish Arrows, from the north-west coast of America.

Several Pouches, some of them very curious, from North America.

Pair of ornamental Garters, principally made of porcupine quills, from North America.

A Purse, or Tobacco-pouch, made of the skin of the stiffling or squash, ornamented with tassels of deer's hair, from North America.

Ornament for the neck, made of the shells of some small hard nut, from Demerara.

Bow and Quiver of Arrows, from Demerara.

Several Musical Instruments, from Demerara, among which is a kind of flute.

A great variety of Bows and Arrows, from Surinam.

Calumet, or Pipe of Peace, used by the North Amcrican Indians, to smoke tobacco, bark leaf, or herb, when they enter into an alliance on any serious occasion or solemn engagement; this being among them the most sacred oath that can be taken, and the violation of it is thought deserving of the punishment of heaven.

A Snow Shoe, from Hudson's Bay, upwards of five feet long; it is very light, and covers such a space as prevents the feet of the wearer from sinking into the

snow.

A pair of Snow Shoes, for a child.

A pair of Snow Shoes, from Canada, not so long as the preceding, but broader and rounder in front.

Neck Ornament, made of feathers, from South America.

Two Hammocks, of curious workmanship, from South America; presented to the Museum by the Hon. Col. St. Leger, of Dublin.

SMALL GLASS CASE, MARKED C.

A Wampum Belt, of great value among the Indian chiefs of North America, often given and received as a token of peace.