NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE 



175 



crater-lake above us. A short muddy scramble up the Rano Ror- 

 aku and one stands at the edge of a lake spotted with island-like 

 masses of dank rushes. Cattle were browsing here and there 

 on the margins, although the grass seemed very sparse. Hoping 

 to bring home some new species of plankton from this isolated 

 crater-lake, we had brought some small silk-nets. After several 

 attempts to throw the net into the open water beyond the rushes, 

 Paul waded in over this barrier and cast it, standing in water 



Quarry for Statues, Easter Island 



The statues were quarried from this hill and transported to the platform along the 

 coast — how images weighing ten to sixty tons could be moved over the rough ground 

 without breakage is another mystery, the more so as there has never been a forest to supply 

 levers or wheels. 



up to his waist. Lining this crater on the inside are more statues, 

 but somewhat smaller. 



On our way back to the plains Seiwell and Paul circled the rim 

 in hopes of shooting two hawks which were soaring over the 

 quarries. We did not then know that these two were the only 

 land birds left on the Island. Many attempts have been made 

 to introduce game, but have invariably failed. The native 

 guides encouraged us to kill these hawks, since they had lost many 

 a chicken by their depredations. 



