272 THE SPEAR-BECKET OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS, 



New Ireland. Between the Ounep and the Amentum there is 

 this difference — the former remains in the hand of the thrower, 

 whilst the latter was attached to the javelin. 



The name Ounede was obtained by Mr. Chas. Hedley when in 

 New Caledonia, that of Oxinep I find given by Mr. J. Edge- 

 Partington* to this implement, whilst " Doigtier " is that 

 applied to it by the French colonists. The only other illustra- 

 tions with which I am acquainted are those of Cook, Labillardiere, 

 and the Rev. G. Turner. 



It is to the wonderfully close and accurate observation of that 

 great man James Cook, R.N., that we owe our introduction to 

 the Ounep. He first met with it in the Island of Tanna, where 

 he had a good opportunity of becoming acquainted with its capa- 

 bilities, and again saw it at Ballade, in North-east New Caledonia. 

 He remarked! — "They use a becket in the same manner asat Tanna 

 in thi'owing the dart." On one of the plates (the latter are not 

 numbered) attached to the Account of Cook's ' Second Voyage ' 

 is the head of a New Caledonian man, surmounted by the peculiar 

 chimney-pot hat or head-covering, and attached to this with 

 string is an Ounep., not as an ornament probably, but simply as a 

 means of carrying it. 



To render the above extract clear, it is necessary to anticipate 

 a little by quoting Cook's description of the Tanna implement. 

 On this he remarks! that the Tannese " make use of a becket, 

 that is a piece of stiff plaited cord, about six inches long, with an 

 eye in one end and a knot at the other. The eye is fixed on the 

 forefinger of the right hand, and the other end is hitched round 

 the dart, where it is nearly on an equipoise. They hold the dart 

 between the thumb and remaining fingers, which serve only to 

 give it direction, the velocity being communicated by the becket 



* Au Album of the Tools, Ornaments, Articles of Dress, &c., of the 

 Natives of the Pacific Islands, 2d ser., t. 67, f. 11. 



t Voyage Towards the South Pole, years 1772-75 (2nd Voyage), 1777, ii. 



p. 121. 



X Ibid., p. 81. 



