POr POUNDERS. 



45 



closely do these two remote implements resemble each other tliat I have seen in one of 

 the principal ethnological mnsenms of Europe a genuine Hawaiian ring poi pounder 

 labeled as a Mexican corn grinder. Both are made of similar lava. In Plate XLI Y. the 

 unusual form shown at the extreme right of the group ( No. 6820) is a cast kindly sent me 

 by Professor Frederick W. Putnam, the distinguished Curator of the Peabody Museum 

 of American Archae- 

 ology at Cambrido-e bernice pauahi bishop museum. 

 Mass., in whose charge 

 is tlie unique original. 

 It shows more elaborate 

 design than any I have 

 .seen, although the pro- 

 jeAions on the upper 

 corners, so convenient for 

 the thumbs, are indicated 

 on No. 41 13 of the same 

 plate. I have ne\er seen 

 these stirrup pounders in 

 use. The ring pounders 

 seem to have become ob- 

 solete in more recent 

 times, perhaps because 

 the Chinese, who pound 

 much of the poi, prefer 

 the common conical form of Fig. 42. The methods of holding the ring pounders, 

 according as they are used for pounding {\) or grinding (b) is shown in Fig. 45. 

 This was the usual, although the workmen doubtless varied the grip as their wrists 

 became wearied, and different natives have shown me other methods as the onl}- ones 

 they ever knew. All such information is of little value. 



The very limited range of these stirrup and ring pounders is noteworthy. 

 The island Kauai was not remote from the rest of the group, nor were her inhabitants 

 hostile generally. That intercourse was not so common as between the islands to 

 the southeast is shown by the provincial forms of words, the use of the sound repre- 

 sented by k instead of that represented by t more generall}- on Kauai ( a-Tooi of 

 Cook) than on the other islands, and other dialec5lal peculiarities not necessary to 

 discuss here. Notwithstanding there was a considerable intercourse and interchange 

 of merchandise between the people of Kauai and even the distant Hawaii. Peculiar 

 forms of kapa made onl}- on the former island have been found buried in ancient 

 caves in Kohala, Hawaii, l)ut I do not remember that any poi pounders of the 



[377] 



riG. 41. 



.\NCIENT HAWAIIAN POI POINDEK.S. 



