The Descent of Man

ious places, in order to be educated as missionaries.
The decrease of the native population of the
Sandwich Islands is as notorious as that of New
Zealand. It has been roughly estimated by those
best capable of judging, that when Cook discovered
the Islands in 1779, the population
amounted to about 300,000. According to a loose
census in 1823, the numbers then were
142,050. In 1832, and at several subsequent periods,
an accurate census was officially taken,
but I have been able to obtain only the following
returns: Native Population Annual rate of
decrease per cent., assuming it to (Except during
1832 and have been uniform between 1836,
when the few the successive censuses; foreigners
in the islands these censuses being taken
Year were included.) at irregular intervals.
1832 130,313
4.46
1836 108,579