14 GrxxAR Landtman. 



„Gdmoda" and „Karéa". The natives cultivate a plant called by them grimoda, 

 which apparently is the Pij^er methysticum, the kava of the Polynesians. The root and 

 stem are chewed and then strained through a coconut leaf into a half coconut-shell. 

 This liquor produces a narcotic eifect. It is drunk very uiuch and has besides a céré- 

 monial use. In order to ensure success in some enterprise an old man will dip a twig 

 into the bowl of gdmoda and sprinkle the beverage in certain directions or over the 

 men participating in the undertaking. At the same time he may utter some appeal to 

 a supernatural being. Sometimes the people simply take a little water in the mouth 

 and squirt it out for the same purpose. This rite is called karéa and is generally per- 

 formed by each individual for himself. 



Tom, XLVll. 



