Page:Some Account of New Zealand.pdf/63

44 CHAP. VIII.

is permitted among these people, and a man does not appear to be satisfied in all cases with one female of a family, but in some instances espouses several sisters at the same time; Tippeehee had four sisters as his wives, besides several concubines: he was far advanced in years, and had become paralytic; a combination of these circumstances had probably induced him to try the effects of a change of air.

The children here appear to be treated with a great degree of parental affection.

They are robust, lively, and possess, in general, pleasing countenances; their actions