ARTS AND ARMS. 177 



executed, the proportions correctly preserved, 

 and even the proper action of the muscles well 

 defined. 



Among the arts in which the Sandwich Islan- 

 ders excelled, was that of preparing salt : the 

 English obtained from them a large quantity of 

 the best kind. Their arms consisted of clubs, 

 lances, and daggers, made of liard wood. War 

 was of frequent occurrence amongst the inha- 

 bitants of the several islands ; the battles were 

 often very bloody, and usually at sea, the ves- 

 sels grappling. The Yeris, when they went 

 to battle, wore the decorated helmets already 

 described, and the mantles covered with black, 

 red, and yellow feathers : those of the Yeri- 

 rahis, or kings, were of yellow only. Images 

 of the god of war, cut in wood ; dreadful cari- 

 catures of the human figure in a threatening 

 posture, the mouth open and armed with dogs' 

 teeth, were always carried before the kings into 

 battle ; and the chief aim of the enemy was to 

 capture them, as this achievement usually put 

 an end to the war. A part of the prisoners 

 were sacrificed to the gods ; but as the shedding 

 of blood in this rite was forbidden, they were 

 I 5 



