STONE LAMPS. 



59 



but a specimen remains near the heiau called Mokini in Kohala, Hawaii, large enough 

 to contain an outstretched human bodj' with perhaps three or four inches of water. 

 These were certainly the largest stone dishes made hy the old Hawaiians. 



My attention has been called to certain stones (of which I have seen perhaps 

 six) of roughly cubical form cut on one face into a shallow depression with a narrow 

 rim (Fig. 58). I have been told that they were used for evaporating sea-water in the 



•'-^- FIO. 58. STONK SAI.T PANS. ■'-'■' 



time of Umi. Although I have only seen the ordinary mud-pans used for salt-making, 

 there is nothing improbable in that statement.* On Hawaii Messrs. T3'ernian and 

 Bennett noticed this use of stone containers in 182 1. 



"April 5. We had an opportunity of seeing how the natives collect salt, of which they furnish 

 large quantities to ships, besides what they consume themselves. Small ring fences of masonry work 

 are formed near to the sea, within which are placed rude stones, of all shapes having deep cavities, 

 which may hold from one to two or three gallons of water. These being fille<l and evaporated from 

 time to time, the salt is deposited, and ready for use without further troul)le. In one of these basins 

 we observed about half a gallon of fine salt. 



lyampS. — The old Hawaiians had artificial lights of several sorts. There were 

 the Ia>iia or torches of banibu sttiffed with candleniits or other combustible matter 

 and the lamaku made by stringing the meats of roasted candlenuts on the midribs of 



* Since Uie above was written the two specimens figured have been added to the Museum collection, 

 t Journal of Voyages and Travels. Boston, 1S22. Vol. II.. p. ig. 



[.■^91] 



