mountain, and in the stern of each was the figure of a man with a paddle steering, in full dress, ornamented with plumes, ear-rings, made to represent those formed of whales teeth, and every other ornament of the fashion of the country. One of the canoes was more splendid than the others, and was situated nearer the grove. I enquired who the dignified personage might be who was seated in her stern, and was informed that this was the priest who had been killed not long since by the Happahs. The stench here was intolerable from the number of offerings which had been made, but, attracted by curiosity, I went to examine the canoes more minutely, and found the bodies of two of the Typees, whom we had killed, in a bloated state, lying in the bottom of the one containing the priest, and many other human carcases with the flesh still on them, lying about the canoe. The other canoes, they informed me, belonged to different warriors who had been killed, or died not long since. I asked them why they had placed their effigies in the canoes, and also why they put the bodies of the dead Typees in that of. the priest; they told me (as Wilson interpreted) that they were going to heaven, and that it was impossible to get there without canoes. The canoe of the priest being larger, he was unable to manage it himself, nor was it right. that he should, he being now a god: they had therefore,, placed in it the bodies of the Happahs and Typees, who had been killed since his death, to paddle him to the place of his destination; but he had not been able yet to start, for the want of a full crew, as it would require ten to paddle her, and as yet they had only procured eight. They told me also, that the taboo, laid in consequence of his death, would continue until he had started on his voyage, which he would not be able to do until they had kil led two more of their enemies, and by this means completed his crew. I enquired if he took any sea stock with him they told me he did, and pointing to some red. hogs in an enclosure, they informed me that they were intended for him, as well as a quantity of bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, &c. which would be collected from the trees in the grove. 1 enquired if he had far to go; they replied no: and pointing to a small square stone enclosure, Informed me that was their heaven, that he was to go there; this place was tabooed, they told me, for every one except their priests. Porter's Journal.

2

Remarkable Mounds near Cahokia.

I CROSSED the Mississippi at St. Louis, and after passing through the wood which borders the river, about half a mile in width, entered on an extensive open plain. In fifteen minutes I found myself in the midst of a group of mounds, mostly of a circular shape, and at a distance resembling enormous haystacks scattered through a meadow. One of the largest which I ascended, was about two hundred paces in circumference at the bottom; the form nearly square, though it had evidently undergone considerable alteration from the washing of the rains. The top was level, with an area sufficient to contain several hundred men.

The prospect from this mound is very beautiful; looking towards the bluffs, which are dimly seen at the distance of six or eight miles, the bottom at this place being very wide, I had a level plain before me, varied by islets of wood, and a few solitary trees; to the right, the prairie is bounded by the horizon, to the left, the course of the Cahokia may be distinguished by the margin of wood upon its banks, and crossing the valley diagonally, S. S. W. Around me I counted forty-five mounds, or pyra mids, besides a great number of small artificial elevations; these mounds form something more than a semicircle, about a mile in extent in the open space on the river.

Pursuing my walk along the bank of the Cahokia, I passed eight others in the distance of three miles, before I arrived at the largest assemblage. When I reached the foot of the principal mound, I was struck with a degree of astonishment not unlike that which is experienced in contemplating the Egyptian pyramids. What a stupendous pile of earth! to heap up such a mass must have required years and the labour of thousands.-It stands immediately on the bank of the Cahokia, and on the side next it, is covered with lofty trees. Were it not for the regularity and design which it manifests, the circumstances of its being on alluvial ground, and the other mounds scattered around it, we could hardly believe it the work of human hands.-The shape is that of a parallelogram, standing from north to south; on the south side there is a broad apron or step, about half way down and from this another projects into the plain about fifteen feet

wide, which was probably intended as an ascent to the mound. By stepping round the base, I computed the circumference to be at least eight hundred yards, and the height of the mound about ninety feet. The step or apron has been used as a kitchen garden by the monks of La Trappe, settled near this, and the top is sowed with wheat. Nearly west there is another of a smaller size, and forty others scattered through the plain. Two are also seen on the bluff, at the distance of three miles, Several of these mounds are almost conical. As the sward had been burnt, the earth was perfectly naked, and I could trace with ease, any uneveness of surface, so as to discover whether it was artificial or accidental. I every where observed a great number of small elevations of earth, to the height of a few feet, at regular distances from each other, and which appeared to observe some order; near them I also observed pieces of flint, and fragments of earthen vessels, I concluded that a very populous town had once existed here, similar to those of Mexico, described by the first conquerors. The mounds were sites of temples, or monuments to the great men. Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana.

Warlike weapons of the natives of Nooaheeva or Madison's Island, in the Pacific ocean, and their mode of fighting.

THEIR general mode of fighting consists in constant skirmishing. The adverse parties assemble on the brows of opposite hills, having a plain between them. One or two dressed out in all their finery, richly decorated with shells, tufts of hair, ear ornaments, &c. &c. advance, dancing up to the opposite party, amid a shower of spears and stones (which they avoid with great dexterity) and daring the other to single combat: they are soon pursued by a greater number, who are in turn driven back and if in their retreat, they should chance to be knocked over with a stone, they are instantly despatched with spears and war clubs, and carried off in triumph. They have two descriptions of spears which they use in their warfare: those by which they set the most store, are about F

;

fourteen feet in length, made of a hard and black wood called toa, which receives a polish equal to ivory: these are made with much neatness, and are never thrown from the hand the other kind are smaller, of a light kind of wood, and are thrown with much accuracy to a great distance. At certain distances, from their points, they are pierced with holes all round, in order that they may break off with their own weight, on entering a body, and then be more difficult to extract. Their strings are made of the fibres of the bark of the cocoa-nut tree, and are executed with a degree of neatness and skill not to be excelled. The stones thrown from them, are of an oval shape, of about half a pound weight, and are all highly polished, by rubbing against the bark of a tree; they are worn in a net, suspended about the waist, and are thrown with such a degree of velocity and accuracy, as to render them almost equal to musketry wherever they strike they produce effect; and the numerous scars, broken limbs, and fractured skulls of the natives, prove that, notwithstanding their dexterity in avoiding those mis siles, they are used with much effect. It is no uncommon thing to see a warrior bearing about him the wounds of many spears, some of which have transfixed his body; some bear several wounds occasioned by stones; and I have seen several with their skulls so indented, as that the whole hand might have been laid in the cavity, and yet the wounds were perfectly healed, and appeared to give no pain. Porter's Journal.

NARRATIVE

Extraordinary Ferocity of Alligators.

MY apprehensions were highly alarmed, after being a spectator of so dreadful a battle; (between two large alligators) it was obvious that every delay would but tend to increase my dangers and difficulties, as the sun was near setting, and the alligators gathered around my harbour from all quarters: from these considerations, I concluded to be expeditious in my trip to the lagoon, in order to take some fish. Not thinking it prudent to take my fusee with me, lest I might lose it overboard in case of a battle, which I had every reason to dread before my return. I therefore furnished myself with a club for my defence, went on board, and penetrating the first line of those which surrounded my harbour, they gave way; but being pursued by several very large ones, I kept strictly on the watch, and paddled with all my might towards the entrance of the lagoon, hoping to be sheltered there from the multitude of my assailants; but ere I had half-way reached the place, I was attacked on all sides, several endeavouring to overset the canoe. My situation_now became precarious to the last degree: two very large ones attacked me closely, at the same instant, rushing up with their heads and part of their bodies above the water, roaring terribly, and belching floods of water over They struck their jaws together so close to my ears, as almost to stun me, and I expected every mo ment to be dragged out of the boat, and instantly devour

me.