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[Page 429]

Manners & Customs of the South Sea Islands

altile & a tree much resembling the wild fig tree of the west Indians Ficus prolixa of the first which is calld by them Ä​​​outa the finest & whitest cloth is made which is worn cheifly by the principal people it is likewise the properest for dying especialy with the Colour of red. Of the second which is calld by them ô​​​​​​​orôo is made a cloth inferior to the former in whiteness and softness worn cheifly by people of inferior degree of the third which is much the most rare is made a coarse harsh Cloth of the colour of the deepest brown paper which is the only one they have that at all resists water it is much valued the greatest quantity of it is perfumd & usd by the most principal people as a Morning dress

These three trees are cultivated with much care especialy the former which covers the largest part of their cultivated land. Young plants of them only are us'd of 1 or 2 years growth, whose great merit is to be thin, streight, & tall, without branches; to prevent the growth of which, they pluck off with great care all the lower leaves &  their Gemms, as often as there is any appearance of a tendency to produce branches.

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