ARTS AND ARMS. 177 



executed, the proportions correctly preserved, 

 and even the proper action of the muscles well 

 defined. 



Among the arts in which the Sandwich Islan 

 ders excelled, was that of preparing salt : the 

 English obtained from them a large quantity of 

 the best kind. Their arms consisted of clubs, 

 lances, and daggers, made of hard wood. War 

 was of frequent occurrence amongst the inha 

 bitants of the several islands ; the battles were 

 often very bloody, and usually at sea, the ves 

 sels grappling. The Yeris, when they went 

 to battle, wore the decorated helmets already 

 described, and the mantles covered with black, 

 red, and yellow feathers : those of the Yeri- 

 rahis, or kings, were of yellow only. Images 

 of the god of war, cut in wood ; dreadful cari 

 catures of the human figure in a threatening 

 posture, the mouth open and armed with dogs&quot; 

 teeth, were always carried before the kings into 

 battle ; and the chief aim of the enemy was to 

 capture them, as this achievement usually put 

 an end to the war. A part of the prisoners 

 were sacrificed to the gods ; but as the shedding 

 of blood in this rite was forbidden, they were 

 i 5 



