Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/410

382 the people of his country took to separate the umbilical cord? He told me, that they burnt it, above an inch from the body, a mode of operation which has been practised by some surgeons, and that, for this purpose, the Papows employed a well kindled torch.

We re-embarked, in order to proceed farther, always following the same bank. Some of the erythrina corallodendron made themselves remarkable by their fine bright red flowers.

On the steep sides of the hard grey rocks, which formed the neighbouring shore, grew some trees of the vacoua (pandanus odoratissima), which overhanging the sea, gave those places a very picturesque appearance. The large spherical fruit, depending from the extremities of their branches, increased their natural inclination towards the water, the surface of which was always covered with ripe fruit.

These delightful scenes gave us reason to be pleased with our excursion. Having passed some time there, we re-embarked, in order to advance still nearer to the entrance of the road.

A charming situation, in the vicinity of a cottage occupied by a native, induced us to go on shore. The master of the cottage was absent; but we found in this peaceful habitation, a young woman, encircled by her children, whom she was amusing,