OF THE TONGA PEOPLE.

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the same after lying in, on which occasionswomen always assist, to the perfect exclusionof the other sex : respecting the circumstancesof parturition, and the separation of the child,these things are kept a profound secret fromthe men*. The men also occasionally use thismixture of turmeric and oil in time of war, whenthe weather is wet, to prevent them from feel-ing chilly, for at that time they have scarcelyany dress: Mr. Mariner on similar occasionshas anointed himself all over with it, and foundit to have the desired effect.

* Difficult parturition, as may be supposed, is very rare.Jeremiah Higgins informs me, that he once saw a woman,who rendered wild, and as it were frantic with her sufferings,ran out of the house, her attendants not being able to re-strain her, and wandered about the plantation, sometimesstooping down—at other times running as if to escape fromthe perils that threatened her: her attendants did not attemptto render her any personal assistance; they merely prayedaloud to the gods to send her a speedy and safe delivery;and when she was worn out with fatigue, they carried herinto the house. She was three days in labour.