n8 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



of very fine tappa, white or brown, or in some cases (what I 

 had never seen before) of a bright blue. They had sashes of 

 white tappa, in thick folds, terminating sometimes in streamers, 

 and sometimes in a long train, not allowed to touch the ground, 

 but looped up again into the sash. Each man in the front 

 rank of the larger body had a splendidly-made breastplate of 

 ivory and pearl-shell. Many had a good-sized whale's tooth 

 hung round their necks rather an effective ornament and 

 armlets, garters, and bracelets of shells, ivory, or black water- 

 weed, according to his fancy. 



The next dance was the most graceful of all. It was called 

 ' The Waves of the Sea,' and represented the sea coming up on 

 the reef. The dresses of the men were much the same as in 

 the last ; but there were also a number of children in bright 

 Ukus, and with garlands of leaves and flowers. First of all 

 they formed into a long line ; then, breaking the line, danced 

 forward, ten or twelve at a time, for a few steps, bending down 

 their bodies and spreading out their hands, as the little shoots 

 from a wave run up on the beach, wave after wave rolled in, 

 and then at the end of the long line ran round, first a few at a 

 time, some falling back again ; then more and more, as the tide 

 runs up on the shore-side of the reef, and nothing but a small 

 island of coral is left. The band kept up a sound like the roar 

 of the surf ; and as the tide rose and the waves began to meet 

 and battle over the little island the dancers threw their arms 

 over their heads as they met, and their white tappa-covered 

 heads shook as they bounded into the air, like the spray of the 

 breaking surf. The people sitting round screamed with delight. 

 The idea of the dance was decidedly artistic, and was most 

 artistically carried out. 



The Fijians of old were first-class potters for a savage race, 

 but the art is rapidly dying out. The three-legged iron pot of 



