I afterwards learned that this process of tattooing is very painful, and takes long to do, commencing at the age of ten, and being continued at intervals up to the age of thirty.

It is done by means of an instrument made of bone, with a number of sharp teeth with which the skin is punctured.

Into these punctures a preparation made from the kernel of the candle-nut, mixed with cocoa-nut oil, is rubbed, and the mark thus made is indelible.

The operation is performed by a class of men whose profession it is, and they tattoo as much at a time, as the person on whom they are operating can bear; which is not much, the pain and inflammation caused by tattooing being very great, sometimes causing death.

Some of the chiefs were tattooed with an ornamental stripe down the legs, which gave them the appearance of being clad in tights.