8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol.79 



selves, forming lozenge-shaped designs reinforced with dots or 

 curved lines. 



In an area as large and as heterogeneous as is Polynesia there are 

 but few art elements common to the entire area. As one passes from 

 west to east there is a developmental sequence in the plastic art; 

 the hierogh^Dhics of the island of Paques are the last stage in this 

 progressive series. The island of Niue presents a distinct phase, 

 however simple. The islands of Poumotu and Gambier are little 

 known from the point of ornamental designs. 



Passing to the Raratonga-Tahiti group, we find designs derived 

 from anthropomorphic models. Tahitian objects are rare, but the 

 products of Raratongan art (Herve}') are well represented in museum 

 collections. All objects appear to have a religious significance. 

 Ceremonial adzes with handles of carved palmwood (U. S. N. M. No. 

 3719). collected by Wilkes in 1838, are probably the most exquisite 

 examples of wood carving known among primitive peoples. Wrap- 

 ping of sennit cord secures the stone blade. The rectangular pattern 

 of filigree openwork with which the handle is carved resembles lace 

 work. 



Hawaiian decorative art. — Hrdlicka, in speaking incidentally of the 

 Hawaiians. says that they do not represent a pure ethnic group, but 

 carry in all probability the blood of the yellow-brown Indonesian, 

 and even Melanesian and Negrito ancestry. This implies that the 

 fundamental type is a yellow-broAvn or Mongoloid. 



There are exhibited in the National Museum collection examples 

 of the principal classes of objects produced by the Hawaiian for the 

 material needs of social life. There are shown excellent examples of 

 stonework consisting of poi pounders, adz blades, net weights, game 

 stones, lamps, mirrors, divination stones, sling stones, grinding and 

 polishing stones, and pestles. Woodwork is represented by platters, 

 kava bowls, bark beaters, and polished coconuts serving for drinking 

 cups. Gourds were enclosed in complicated network and used in 

 carrying and serving food. Smaller gourds were used as cups and 

 rattles. Sperm-whale teeth were worked into ivory hook-shape orna- 

 ments, especially into pendants, to which were attached braided cords 

 of human hair and which were valued as fetishes. Several rattles, a 

 musical bamboo, nose flutes, a whistle, and a time-beating stick ; orna- 

 ments of feather, shell, and nuts ; pens for decorating tapa ; and flv 

 brushes used by chiefs, are shown. The pearl shell Avas employed in 

 the remarkable fishhooks made by the Hawaiians. Beads were also 

 made of shell, which resemble those of the California Indians. The 

 Hawaiians prepared a fine even cord of sennit and they were wonder- 

 fully skillful in knotting the cords into a pleasing structure, as the 

 carriers for calabashes and bowls. These are sometimes veritable 



