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fathers of families.
    On first entering the Typee valley, I had been struck with the marked
contrast presented by its inhabitants with those of the bay I had previously
left. In the latter place, I had not been favourably impressed with the personal
appearance of the male portion of the population; although with the females,
excepting in some truly melancholy instances, I had been wonderfully pleased. I
had observed that even the little intercourse Europeans had carried on with the
Nukuheva natives had not failed to leave its traces amongst them. One of the
most dreadful curses under which humanity labours had commenced its havocs, and
betrayed, as it ever does among the South Sea islanders, the most aggravated
symptoms. From this, as from all other foreign inflictions, the yet
uncontaminated tenants of the Typee valley were wholly exempt; and long may they
continue so. Better will it be for them forever to remain the happy and innocent
heathens and barbarians that they now are, than, like the wretched inhabitants
of the Sandwich Islands, to enjoy the mere name of Christians without
experiencing any of the vital operations of true religion, whilst, at the same
time, they are made the victims of the worst vices and evils of civilised life.
    Apart, however, from these considerations, I am inclined to believe that
there exists a radical difference between the two tribes, if indeed they are not
distinct races of men. To those who have merely touched at Nukuheva bay, without
visiting other portions of the island, it would hardly appear credible the
diversities presented between the various small clans inhabiting so diminutive a
spot. But the hereditary hostility which has existed between them for ages fully
accounts for this.
    Not so easy, however, is it to assign an adequate cause for the endless
variety of complexions to be seen in the Typee valley. During the festival, I
had noticed several young females whose skins were almost as white as any Saxon
damsel's, a slight dash of the mantling brown being all that marked the
difference. This comparative fairness of complexion, though in a great degree
perfectly natural, is partly the result of an artificial process, and of an
entire exclusion from the sun. The juice of the papa root, found in great
abundance at the head of the valley, is held in great esteem as a cosmetic, with
which many of the females daily anoint their whole person. The habitual use of
it whitens and beautifies the skin. Those of the young girls who resort to this
method of heightening their charms, never expose themselves to the rays of the
sun; an observance, however,
