PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 427 



153. " Ua tagi le fatu ma le eleele." — " The stones and the 

 earth are crying out." 



This is used when a chief who is much beloved has died. It 

 is a poetical way of saying that he is sincerely mourned for by all. 



154. " Ia tupu I SE Fusi." — " May he grow in the swamp." 



The fusi (swamp) is the place where the best taro grows, and 

 where it grows quickly. The phrase expresses a prayer of a man 

 for his son that he may be like taro grown in the fusi; that he 

 may grow quickly, and be a help to the family of his people. 



155. " O LE ta'ape a fatuati." — " The scattering of stones 

 used for fishing." 



This illustration is taken from the custom of building up heaps 

 of stones in the lagoon. At the proper time these are encircled 

 b} nets, and then men go inside and throw the stones out to form 

 a fresh heap. The fishes which were living in the first heap of 

 stones are caught in the nets which surround it, and the stones 

 thrown out are left to form a hiding place for a fresh lot. This 

 is used of a family which has been separated for a while, but 

 will be gathered together again. 



156. " XJa pupu MAI LOTO." — "The mind is distressed." 



This may be applied to anything which agitates a man's mind, 

 either some great work which he has to do, or some trouble which 

 be has to bear. 



157. " Ifo I LE susu." — " To go down into the milk." 



This is used to say that anything good which the woman does 

 will have its effect upon the milk which she gives to her child. 

 It is, however, applied to say that anything which benefits the 

 chiefs or rulers will be for the good of the people. 



158. " Matematelima." — "To contrive with your own 

 hands." 



This is applied to a man who has no one to help him in his 

 work, whether he is building a house, a boat, or finding mats for 

 his daughter's marriage. He has to do the work himself; that is, 

 he has to do by himself what others ought to help him in doing. 



159. " Faamanifi a foaga." — " To be thin as a stone on which 

 tools are ground." 



This stone is thin, but not easily broken, and so is used as a 

 simile of a chief who is cruel, though weak in body, or of some 

 one who is really strong, though he appears weak. 



