226 Pickering on the Language and Inhabitants 
of it on the ground. After this a few pieces of the nut are thrown 
to the images, and the rest are eaten by the priests. This closes 
the ceremony ; after which they indulge themselves in different 
recreations according to their tastes. 
In connection with this subject it may be mentioned, that while 
the Americans were on the island several shocks of earthquakes 
were felt, and some of them, in the language of the seamen, 
“pretty severe.” This caused great terror among the natives ; 
they would not let their children speak a word ; and they said 
among themselves, Zabilu Yarris, Tobi yettémen (pronounced zah- 
beétoo Yarris, Tobee yettdhmen), that is, Yarris (God) is coming, 
and Tobi (the island) will sink. 
They were also much alarmed at thunder and lightning, and 
would say on such occasions, Yarris titri (pronounced teétree), 
Yarris is talking. How they would have been affected by an 
eclipse of the sun or moon was not known, as it was not observed 
that any happened while the Americans were among them. 
Like other uncivilized people, they reckon time by moons ; and 
it could not be discovered that they had any other divisions of time 
than moons and days. 
Their implements of war are spears and clubs, but no bows and 
arrows. The spears are made of the cocoa-nut wood, the points 
of them being set with rows of shark’s teeth, and, as they are 
very heavy and from ten to twenty feet long, they are formidable 
weapons. 
Their canoes are made of logs, which drift to their island from 
other places, there being no trees on it that are large enough for 
that purpose; they are hollowed out with great labor, and are of 
very clumsy workmanship ; and in order to prevent their overset- 
ting, they are fitted up with outriggers, like those of the Pelew 
Islanders. 
