TK Pli'o II. liKM'A, d|{ K ASTER ISLAND. 



185 



and in iiihiicoiis instances interesting catacombs and tombs were dis- 

 covered, containiug remains of great antiquity. In this connection a 

 peculiar trail in tbe native character was developed. Towards even- 

 ing one of the native guides returned to pilot t he working party to the 

 place selected for the camp, just at the time a particularly old tomb had 

 been uncovered and the crania were being removed from their former 

 resting place. This the unsophisticated native took in at a glance, 

 and with the announcement that we were desecrating the burial place 

 of his forefathers, he set up a howl of despair, and became prostrated 

 with grief at the sight of a skull which he claimed to recognize as that 

 of his great-grandfather. Notwithstanding the absurdity of the state- 

 ment, the angnish displayed induced us to return the bones to their 

 ancient resting place. The afflicted youth quickly dried his eyes, and 

 intimated that for a suitable reward he would be willing to dispose of 

 the remains of his ancestors, and he thought that a consideration of 

 about $2 wonld assuage his grief. That settled it. The skulls were 

 gathered into the collection, and the sorrowing native left to mourn the 

 loss both of the money and of the bones of his forefathers. 



"-*""^3»fc. 





FlO. 9. 

 Observation Towku on Bluff kbaii Anhoiranoaiioa Point. 



Many of the stone liases upon which the images stood still remain 

 in their original positions upon the platforms. Generally they are ir- 

 regular in shape, a few have been squared, and on platform No. 5 we 



