336 AUSTRALASIAN AND POLYNESIAN 
merely the plaited leaflets of the cocoanut palm—very pervious 
to rain. The idol-temples and the great dwellings of the chiefs 
were covered with pandanus-leaf thatch—idol-temples first, 
dwellings of chiefs afterwards. The doors were always sliding. 
There was a sacred and a common entrance. Squares were 
prettily worked in black sennit on the front and back sides of 
the dwelling. The “tirango,” or threshold, was made of a single 
block of timber, tastefully carved. We name our dwellings 
because they are are enduring; ¢4ey name the sve, their huts 
being so perishable. 
Only the large open valleys of Mangaia and Atiu were culti- 
vated in the olden time, but at Rarotonga a considerable portion 
of that narrow strip of rich soil near the sea was well planted. 
The weeding spade of Mangaia was not unlike a club in shape, 
and was made of iron-wood (Casuarina equisetifolia). The length 
was five feet nine inches. Indeed, it was a most formidable 
weapon at close quarters, as many an unfortunate has found to 
his cost. 
The staff of life on Mangaia and Atiu is the “taro”* plant ; on 
Aitutaki, the sweet potato; on Rarotonga, bread-fruit and plan- 
tains; on Mitiaro, &c., &c., cocoanut. In most of the islands a 
vast quantity of fish is eaten as soon as it is captured. 
On Mauihiki the natives subsist on cocoanut and fish; on the 
sister island of Rakaauga they have in addition a good supply of 
“puraka” 7.e., a coarse species of Caladium. On most of the 
atolls the inhabitants live contentedly on cocoanut and fish only. 
Food is abundant throughout the Hervey Group except when 
a cyclone has wrought its desolation, or continuous rain has 
flooded the valleys where “taro ” is cultivated. 
About two days’ work in a week will keep a plantation in good 
order. On atolls, like Mauihiki, where only the cocoanut palm 
flourishes, no weeding or planting can be done, as the soil 
consists of sand and gravel thrown up by the ocean on the ever- 
growing coral. Hence it is that the natives of these atolls are 
such excellent fishermen, having little else to do. 
The usual time for the one real meal of the day in the Hervey 
Group is at sunset. The richer natives have a warm meal about 
ten a.m., but in general they cook enough at sunset to last for the 
morning’s repast. 
Throughout Polynesia the mode of cooking is similar. A 
circular hole, two or three feet in diameter, is dug in the ground, 
the centre being deeper than any other part. Firewood is split 
and piled up in the hole. Basaltic stones are now laid on the 
firewood just before it was lighted. When the fire had burnt 
out, and the red-hot stones fallen to the bottom amongst the 
glowing ashes, they are carefully arranged by means of a hooked 
* Caladium petiolatum. 
