466 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



probably originated this custom. Love of family is a strong trait in 

 their character; children are fondly cared for, and the desire for off- 

 spring is general. 



TATTOOING. 



Tattooing is not practiced at the present time, none being observed 

 upon children and young persons. But all those advanced in life are 

 ornamented on all parts of the body. Unlike the Samoaus and other 

 islanders, where a standard pattern is adhered to, the designs were only 

 limited by the fancy and ability of the artist. Both sexes were tattooed 

 (Figs. 4, a and b), but the women to a greater extent and with more 

 elaborate designs than the men. The material used in tattooing is ob- 

 tained by burning the leaf of an indigenous plant called "ti," which is 

 moistened with the juice of a berry called "poporo." A tattoo comb 

 is made of bone or fish bones fastened to a stick, which is held in posi- 

 tion and struck with a sharp blow. 



Fig. 4. a. 



I VTTOOIKG ON NATIVE WOMAN (FRONT VIEW). 



Fig. 4,fc. 

 Tattooing on native woman (hack view). 



The highest ornamentation was as .follows: A narrow band around 

 the upper part of the forehead, at the edge o,f ,t,be roots of hair, with 

 little circles extending down upon ihe forehead and joined to the baud 



