Chap, xix.] 



HAWAIIAN GODS. 



437 



objects surmounted by straight continuations of tlie posts are 

 carved. 



The gods are all shown with widely-open mouths, so that 

 their faces assume a sort of crescent shape, and on comparing 

 them with the posts in question, it seems almost certain that 

 these latter really represented gods' faces, according to a sort 

 of conventional mode of rendering them, or symbolic represen- 

 tation. Some of the images with well-marked human figures 

 are shown with tall feather crowns on their heads, and together 

 with them are figures with a mere crescent, to represent the 

 face, yet wearing exactly similar crowns. One image has a 

 simple crescent to represent the head, closely like that of the 

 Hook-ornament. 



WOODEN GODS, FROM ELLIS S SKETCH OF THE HARE O KEAVE. 



Showing the gradations from the form of the human face to that of the crescent 



or hook. 



A further figure of a Sandwich Island Deity, also from the 

 writings of Mr. Ellis,* bears out this conclusion, as does also 

 one of the plates of Captain Cook's "Third Voyage," t in 

 which Cook is shown seated at the base of a wooden idol, in 

 order that he may be worshipped by the sacrifice of a pig. 

 The idol is post-like in appearance, and with a wide crescent- 

 shaped opening for a mouth. No doubt many of these post- 

 like images were, when in use, decorated with ornaments and 

 cloths, and thus, as in Tahiti, made to look more human in 

 appearance. 



* "Narrative of a Tour through Hawaii," etc., p. 437. By William 

 Ellis. 2nd Ed. London, Fisher & Son, 1827. 



f "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean." PI. 60, Vol. III., p. 13. Cook 

 and King. London, G. Nicol, 17S5. 



