406 THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS. 



of the houses are ornamented also in the same style. Similar 

 patterns are graved on the ovulum shells and armlets. These 

 patterns are all modifications of the lozenge or diamond, and 

 without curves ; but besides this, various patterns are burnt in 

 upon the surfaces of the chunam gourds, and in these the 

 lozenge is combined with various curves. 



An entirely different class of carving is that] of the large 

 wooden bowls which are used for eating out of. These 

 resemble somewhat those of the Solomon islanders, being, 

 like them, blackened, but in the present case they are most 

 remarkable for their graceful forms and delicately carved 

 handles. The bowls are worked with wonderful precision, 

 considering the tools available, to the circular form, appearing 

 as true as if turned. They are widely open, and are provided 

 with a pair of curved handles, which rise above the level of 

 the tops of the bowls, and are sometimes ring-like, sometimes 

 cut in a delicate spiral. They are always ornamented with 

 perforated carving, and often bear a pair of Crocodiles, or 

 roughly executed human figures on their outer margins. The 

 bowls stand always on four short legs, like the Fijian kaava 

 bowls. They never have a circular bottom, no doubt because 

 there are no level surfaces for them to rest upon, and because 

 the idea is derived from a four-legged stool. 



A still more remarkable appreciation of symmetry and fer- 

 tility in design is shown in the patterns which are cut upon the 

 circular plates worn sometimes on the forehead, oftener on the 

 breast. These consist of circular white plates ground down 

 out of Tridacna shell, with a hole in the centre for suspension. 

 On the front of this white ground is fastened a thin plate of 

 tortoise-shell, which is ornamented with fretwork, so that the 

 white ground shows through the apertures. The patterns are 

 of endless variety, no two being alike, and show all kinds of 

 combinations of circles, triangles, toothing, and radiate 

 patterns. The shell back-ground is often graved also at its 

 margin. Symmetry is evidently striven after, but with the 

 appliances available the execution falls short here and there 

 of the design. Nevertheless these ornaments are very beauti- 

 ful. Closely similar ornaments are worn in the Solomon 

 Islands, and also in New Hanover, and in the far-off Mar- 

 quesas Islands, curiously enough. 



A regular style of ornamentation is preserved for each class 

 of ornaments, weapons, and implements. Thus I saw no 

 Ovulum shells with curved pattern like those on the gourds. 

 Both these and the bracelets bore simple patterns of diagonal 

 lines graved and blacked. The spears, also, never bore 

 curves. 



