412 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION F. 



the fact that no one who has died returns again, or by one who 

 has himself suffered some great loss, and is mourning for some 

 loved one who has passed away. What he means is, " Oh that 

 we were like the moon, which dies and lives again ; which goes 

 from us, but returns again to make us glad." 



49. " O LE UA NA FUA MAI Manua." " A rain Avhich origi- 

 nated in Manua." 



Manua is the group in the extreme east of Samoa, and most 

 of the rain comes from that direction. The phrase is used to 

 say that the event referred to, or under consideration, has not 

 come suddenly or without warning, but that due notice was 

 given. 



50. " O LE maulalo a Tavai." "The short height of the 



Tavai." 



The tavai i^lthus Taitensis) is a very low growing tree as. com- 

 pared with other forest trees, but it is crowded with pigeons. 

 This is used to express the truth that though a man be short of 

 stature it is easy to know by his actions whether he is a chief or 

 not. The tavai, though low in its growth, is easily known by the 

 pigeons. The mamalava, though growing to a great height, is of 

 little or no value, as men neither cut out a canoe or build a house 

 from it. 



51. " Ua lele FUA LE Atafa aua e iloa lona vaavaa e tagata 

 uma LA.VA." "The frigate bird {Tachi/ petes aquila) flies about 

 without success, for his breast bone is seen by all men." 



This is applied to a hypocrite or to a man who, whilst pretend- 

 ing to be a friend, is seeking to inflict an injury. It is a hint that 

 his designs are well known and guarded against. 



52. " AoFiA I LE FUTiAFu E TASi." (It is) Collected in one 

 water-hole." 



The futiafu is a waterhole in the bed of a river in which alone 

 water can be found in the time of drought. The proverb is used 

 to express agreement with the plan or opinion of one or more of 

 those who have taken part in some controversy. Just as the 

 water is gathered together in one place (futiafu) so all opinions 

 are expressed in that one speech. 



53. " PaPATU LE IFI SOGA, PE A PAU TOU SE LE LAVA." " The 



seasoned chestnut tree cracks, but still stands; when it falls you 

 will not be able to do anything by means of it or against it." 



This figure is used in different ways, but the general one is 

 that when neglected warnings are fulfilled the results are irre- 

 sistible. 



