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108 several pieces in the spaces between the knots, and made us a present of them, informing us, that they set them thus in the ground, in order to propagate the plant.

We were not far from the tents of the observatory, when some others of the natives invited us to eat fruit, among which we had the pleasure of seeing that of the spondias cytherea (pommes de cythère). Every one sat down: Citizen Riche just laid down a pole-axe, when a native crept slily behind him, took it up, and ran off as fast as he could. We immediately pursued him, but he had too far the start for us to come up with him. A chief, who was then near us, would make the thief restore the pole-axe, and ran after him likewise; but he soon returned, and appeared very sorry, that he could not overtake the fugitive.

We soon arrived within the enclosure where the traffic was carried on. Futtafaihe was still there. We were informed that he had caused a sabre, and several other things belonging to different persons of the crew, which had been stolen by the natives, to be returned. Riche accordingly applied to him, in order to procure his pole-axe again; but the inquiries of Futtafaihe were to no purpose.

27th. A great many canoes surrounded our