The author finds that food comprises a carefully categorized set of symbols that help determine thought and action in Pacific societies. Food is a culture pattern, unique to each society. But some patterns are also shared and those shared patterns are due to links in times past. Pollock investigates the cultural mechanisms that have allowed certain distinct features associated with food to remain in the face of many intrusions to those societies. Extensively reviewed are the sociocultural, archeological-historical, and scientific literature on the topic, ranging from the records of early explorers, missionaries, and pioneer ethnographers to those of modern medical, nutritional, and ethnobotanical researchers, along with observations from the author's personal fieldwork.

Vols. for 1847-1963/64 include the Institution's Report of the Secretary, also published separately.

Reports for 1884-1886/87 issued in 2 pts., pt. 2 being the Report of the National Museum.