Дети капитана Гранта

Introduction to the Cannibals

           Chiefsofhighpositionmaybeknownbythefinishandprecisionandtruthofthedesign,whichsometimescoverstheirwholebodieswiththefiguresofanimals.Somearefoundtoundergothepainfuloperationof"moko"fivetimes.Themoreillustrious,themoreillustrated,istheruleofNewZealand.

           DumontD’Urvillehasgivensomecuriousdetailsastothiscustom.Hejustlyobservesthat"moko"isthecounterpartofthearmorialbearingsofwhichmanyfamiliesinEuropearesovain.Butheremarksthatthereisthisdifference:thearmorialbearingsofEuropearefrequentlyaproofonlyofthemeritsofthefirstwhoborethem,andarenocertificateofthemeritsofhisdescendants;whiletheindividualcoat-of-armsoftheMaoriisanirrefragibleproofthatitwasearnedbythedisplayofextraordinarypersonalcourage.

           Thepracticeoftattooing,independentlyoftheconsiderationitprocures,hasalsoausefulaspect.Itgivesthecu-taneoussystemanincreasedthickness,enablingittoresisttheinclemencyoftheseasonandtheincessantattacksofthemosquito.

           Astothechiefwhowassteeringthecanoe,therecouldbenomistake.ThesharpenedalbatrossboneusedbytheMaoritattooer,hadfivetimesscoredhiscountenance.Hewasinhisfifthedition,andbetrayeditinhishaughtybearing.

           Hisfigure,drapedinalargematwovenof"phormium"trimmedwithdogskins,wasclothedwithapairofcottondrawers,blood-stainedfromrecentcombats.

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