TE PITO TE HENUA, OR EASTER ISLAND. 517 



preserve symmetry ami effect, men, canoes, lisli, etc., are represented 

 of the same size throughout the lines. 



A careful study of the hieroglyphics of Easter Island is being made 

 with the hope that valuable information may be obtained iu regard to 

 the early history and origin of the people. Results of an extremely inter- 

 esting nature are barely outlined at present and not in shape to be pre- 

 sented herewith. It is not considered expedient to attempt an expla- 

 nation of the symbols until the subject can be treated exhaustively. As 

 an example of the ideographic character of the signs, the tablet contain- 

 ing the genealogical tables shows a frequent repetition of the symbol of 

 the great spirit Meke-Meke in connection with that of the female vulva^ 

 The signification is the birth of a person. The position of the figures 

 shows whether the child was the result of marriage, or intrigue, and the 

 following figures indicate the date of the birth, the seasons and the ap- 

 proximate time. An important feature, in connection with the tablets, is 

 the fact that forms have been discovered which have no types on Easter • 

 Island, and which may lead to an identification of the locality from 

 whence the first settlers migrated. The hieroglyphics include, besides 

 the representation of actual objects, figures used by the chiefs, and each 

 clan had its distinctive mark. Samples are given in different treaties 

 made with the islanders of the sign-manual of some of the chiefs. (See 

 Plates XXXV1-XLIX.) 



TRANSLATION OF EASTER ISLAND TABLETS. 



APAI. 



(Plates XXXVI and XXXVII.) 



Timo te kakaha piki apai te roria aruki e tan gat a Mohonakuta mo- 

 honga matangi eiri apai ia ra Techo i te ika mahoi rua matangi apai ti- 

 rori mahoi rua matangi tahoi te tha tahoi hakavirri ia tapui rurenga 

 taliri te ika tahoi te ata e tau ira tau na mimi hara rau kina ata rangi 

 no no tupa kan k maka reva atea e tau ira matuku hara ataruugi no no 

 tapairu renga ava ki hoato. 



Iloua katakata hura niatini rau hanga tamaru Ida tun ama tavake 

 toto tuninakeiika tantaii mea te kura. Ki hi houga te kura e aku ta- 

 paini kari mao aku hoa-hoa tae kote kura mata ki rei aaku tapa iru nei 

 kairi mai aku hora-hora tae kote kura. 



Mata ki rei mata ku liaka iri marai matairi maru matai maru ka irira 

 tapui rei tapui ranga muku kiri mai aku hoa-hoa tae kote kura. Mata 

 ki rei mata ku haka iri maru matai maru matai rani ku uira tapui rei 

 tapui rei tapu ranga muku kairi mai aku hora-hora kapainga mai. E. 

 tangaroa te mare kura hapai e haka ihi mo tapa rei kura taku tapo rei 

 him ata arna tae haath rang] ura rangi hara-tua oaku matua oaku ma 

 tenga otae ahiri noa ranga ki te rangi no te miinniri a rua hiru te lietu 

 takiri ko niiiinu ana k ia kake mao-mao ake. Haka tau Era a Xuku te 

 atua. Atara kahiria a uka hopua. Tun haka maun kura. Tun te ha 

 hei kura. Tun te tieuituiri kura. Tuu te matangi e ria a mangaro, 



