Title: Polynesian Researches

Author: Ellis, William

Part of: New Zealand Texts Collection

This text is the subject of: Introduction to Polynesian Researches

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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CHAP. V

FROM PAGE 101 TO PAGE 127.

Comparative numbers of the inhabitants—Indications and causes of depopulation—Beneficial tendency of Christianity—Origin of the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands—Traditions—Legends of Taaroa and Hina—Resemblance to Jewish history—Coincidences in language, mythology, &c. with the language, &c. of the Hindoos and Malays, Madagasse, and South Americans —Probable source of population—Difficulty of reaching—the islands from the west—Account of the different native voyages—Geographical extent over which the Polynesian race and language prevail.