720 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1897. 



of several individuals may be found in one receptacle, and at one of the 

 platforms a collection of skulls alone was discovered in a sepulcher 

 which was oijened. 



The rats, which by reason of the loose manner of interment have free 

 access to the remains, no doubt perform an imi)ortant office as scav- 

 engers in disposing of the soft parts, since in no single instance were 

 any bones found, either human or sheep — and the skeletons of both were 

 frequently fallen in with — which were not completely denuded, and the 

 fine litter, which was almost invariably found in the cranial cavity, 

 showed where the rodents had been nest-hiding. 



The food of the Hapa ]SIuiis comprises the following principal articles: 

 Sugar cane, taro, sweet potatoes, bananas, fowl, shell and other fish in 

 large quantities, tomatoes, pumpkins, figs, pigs, and rarely sheep and 

 cattle. 



Their manner of cultivating the soil is of the simplest descrii^tion. 

 Owing to the depredations of the numberless sheep and cattle, they are 

 compelled to keep all their cultivated patches carefully inclosed, and 

 as there is no wood ou the island which can he applied to that purpose 

 they are forced to use volcanic stones. Occasionally, therefore, one 

 may see a wall about 2 feet thick by C or 8 feet high inclosing a plot 

 of ground perhaps 50 feet square, in which will be found a variety of the 

 plants above mentioned growing luxuriantly. 



The average Kapa Nuiis, however, perhaps wisely, ijrefers a fence 

 ready made to building one himself, and therefore selects the standing 

 stone walls of one or more of the old houses, which he appropriates to 

 his purpose. There are many of these scattered over the island, par- 

 ticularly^ on the eastern half. These require but little repair to put them 

 in order and secure against the entrance of sheep, and, although small, 

 they amply suffice to supply the needs of the native husbandmen. Of 

 course there is no pretense of cultivation ; the ground is scratched; the 

 article planted ; the rest is intrusted to the care of the omnipotent atua. 



The soil is rich, and ancient navigators report the island covered 

 with vegetation, and yet one could not repress the feeling of suriirise, 

 in view of the present unpromising appearance of the surface and 

 unfavorable surroundings, on seeing how vigorously and luxuriantly 

 everything grew within these inclosures. 



LANGUAGE OF THE RAPA NUIIS. 



XAMKS OF ANIMALS. 



Shenp mamoi. 



Horse hoi. 



Cattle puaka. 



Sow oru tamahinc. 



Boar oru tamaroa. 



lien cufa. 



Eel koiro. 



Black sea bass kodoti. 



