256 ETHNOLOGICAL STUDIES 



have a culture lower than the volcanic islands, for the simple reason that 

 they have far fewer natural resources. But in the case of Rennell this 

 cannot be the whole story. Here much of that which in western Polynesia 

 is due to Fijian influence is absent, probably owing to Rennell's remote 

 situation. Most other elements in its culture are more or less old-fashioned, 

 and occur throughout Polynesia. Both facts may suggest that the Ren- 

 nellese were separated from their kinsmen at a relatively early period. 

 The question of whether there was an earlier population on the island 

 (I am thinking here of the above-mentioned Hiti), and of their bearing on 

 the matter, cannot be answered at the moment. Hiti is a widespread 

 Polynesian term which occurs, for instance, in place-names like Viti {i. e., 

 Fiji) and Tahiti. 



But quite apart from the contributions to Polynesian prehistory which 

 may be obtained from a study of the ethonology of Rennell Island, it is 

 alwa)s a matter of importance to get to know a strange culture, and find 

 out how it functions and has adapted itself to local conditions. In this 

 way, the investigations of even a remote and insignificant South Sea 

 island can contribute its mite to the knowledge of man, which is the ulti- 

 mate aim of all cultural studies. 



