Contents
| Chapter | |
|---|---|
| [I.] | Position Of The Islands--early Visitors And Traditionary Origin |
| [II.] | Samoa--origin Of The Name |
| [III.] | A Future State--religion, Etc. |
| [IV.] | Gods Superior--war And General Village Gods |
| [V.] | Gods Inferior, Or Household Gods |
| [VI.] | The People--infancy And Childhood |
| [VII.] | Adult And Advanced Years |
| [VIII.] | Food--cooking--liquors |
| [IX.] | Clothing |
| [X.] | Amusements |
| [XI.] | Mortality, Longevity, Diseases, Etc. |
| [XII.] | Death And Burial |
| [XIII.] | Houses |
| [XIV.] | Canoes |
| [XV.] | Articles Of Manufacture |
| [XVI.] | Government And Laws |
| [XVII.] | Wars |
| [XVIII.] | The Heavens, And The Heavenly Bodies |
| [XIX.] | The Origin Of Fire, And Other Stories |
| [XX.] | Names Of The Islands--illustrating Migrations, Etc. |
| [XXI.] | Political Divisions And Places Of Note On Upolu |
| [XXII.] | Political Divisions And Places Of Note On Savaii |
CHAPTER I.
Position Of The Islands—Early Visitors And Traditionary Origin.
Samoa is the native name of the group of volcanic islands in central Polynesia long known as the "Navigators Islands." They are situated about 3000 miles from Sydney, and stand on the charts between the parallels of 13° and 15° south latitude, and 168° and 173° west longitude. The mountains of Savaii, one of which is 4000 feet high, may be seen 50 miles off, and, on coming near, the stranger finds a lovely island, 150 miles in circumference, and covered with vegetation as far as the eye can reach. The mountains of Upolu and Tutuila rise 2000 and 3000 feet above the level of the sea, and present the same aspect of richness and fertility. These are the principal islands of the group. They run east and west. Upolu, 130 miles in circumference, is in the middle, having Savaii 10 miles to the west; and Tutuila, an island 80 miles in circumference, about 40 miles to the east. There are several smaller islands which are inhabited, and several other isolated romantic spots here and there which are not inhabited.