This comprehensive account of Polynesian culture and history is an invaluable resource for scholars and general readers alike. Ellis, who lived in the Society and Sandwich Islands for nearly eight years, provides a detailed and illuminating examination of the customs, beliefs, and way of life of the people of Polynesia, based on his extensive personal observations and research. With its rich descriptions and insights, this book is a fascinating journey into the heart of one of the world's most intriguing civilizations. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.