RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Belcher, Voyage round the world. CUL-DAR90.12. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 1.2023. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR 87-90 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man 2d ed. (1874-1877).
[12]
Sir E. Belcher Voyage round the World 1843 Vol I. p. 272
It is admitted by natives themselves of Sandwich Isld that their numbers have enormously decreased since time of Cook & Vancouver— Mr Bishop observes
"That the middle-aged women cease to have children, & that many couples have none. That, when they are so blessed, they die before they are two years old. In families of 6, 8, or 10 few survive the first year."
The children suffer much from continuous complaints — It seems that their habits of life have much changed owing to the interference of the missionaries.—
[Descent, 2d ed., p. 191]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 3 May, 2023