FEATHER MAHIOLE OR HELMETS. 



41 



Voyages, Fig. 32, shows well a good specimen, which, b}- the wa}-, closeh- resembles 

 one now in the British Museum. 



The struAure was in general of wicker work made of ie-ie or other material, 

 often beautifully plaited, as will be seen in the illustrations given. Over this was 

 neatly fitted a net of olona to which feathers were attached, usually red with crest of 

 yellow and lines of black or green. In many of the helmets that have survived this 



FIG. 32. HAWAIIAN WARRIOR, COOK'S VOYAGE. 



net has gone as well as the feathers, and no traces are left of the once splendid cover- 

 ing. The remaining frame is so well made in many instances that I was once per- 

 suaded that the specimens in question were never intended to be covered with feathers, 

 but I am now convinced that all were covered with feathers or human hair. In some 

 cases the crest is partly detached from the cap and held in place by spurs; and in several 

 the crest has been so modified that only a row of knobs remains: several of this latter 

 form are in European museums, but none have the feathers left; so I am unable to verifj^ 

 my opiniou that these kuobs were really the base or svipport of feather plumes. It is 



