12 CAKI, SK.OTTSEF.RG 



neither the iinaLTcs stamlini; on the mountain nor those found scattered over 

 the ishuui were ever intended for the ahu, but that the latter lined the roads 

 leadin<; from the mountain to the coast. I cannot add anything to the ex- 

 phmation of the standing statues. If they were put up to celebrate »bird- 

 nien». it seems cjuaint that not tiic names of these heroes but those of the 

 workers should have become attached to them, but such is the tradition, as 

 told by Mrs. R. 



I'he rutle stone implements (toki) used by the sculptors are often found. 

 In Ilanga Koa we came across a large and very well wrought stone adze of a 

 ratiier international type, but not found in any of the accounts on the island. 

 It had been picked up on tlie seashore at low water and is quite incrustated 

 witii the siiells of animals. It measures 20 cm. (Plate 14, fig. i). A few stone 

 chisels were also obtained; two are figured on Plate 14, fig. 2, 3. 



KKM.MNS OV llorSK.S ANP PLANTATIONS 



I''oundations of old houses are seen in many places, and several were 

 noteil on our excursion to Alt. Katiki. Of one a sketch was made, also showing 

 the paved area in front, but without foundation-stones for a porch. None of 

 these dwelling-houses are left. Between Mataveri and Hanga Roa are a couple 

 of grass huts (Plate 10) which give us a faint idea of what the old houses 

 were like. The\- are small, lack the stone foundation, and have the entrance 

 at one end. 



There is another kind of structure in the shape of low, very strongly 

 built towers of stone which cannot fail to arouse the curiosity of the visitor. 

 The present pef)ple do not seem to be sure as to their former use. A fine 

 tower at the landing-place in Hanga Ho Orno (La Perouse) is shown on Plate 

 II, another is figured and described by Mrs. R. (p. 218, fig 87), a third one, 

 in a ruined state, by Thomson (p. 484). The first-mentioned has a height of 

 3,.» m. and is 6,; 7 m. across at the base. The only entrance is 0,65 m. high 

 and 0,9 wide. The roof is vaulted inside; outside, the wall ends in a girdle of 

 stones. The size of the stones bears witness of the prehistoric era and of the 

 makers of the j^reat ahu. Mrs. R., on the authority of some resident, explains 

 these structures as look-out towers whence watchers on land communicated the 

 wlicreabouts of the fish to those at sea; these contained a small chamber 

 below which was us(-d as a .sleeping aj)artmcnt» (p. 218). 



It sounds strange that these solid towers should have had no other pur- 

 pose; tlian to serve as lookout stations for fishermen. In order to keep a good 

 look out, presumably to follow the movements of shoals — it has not been 

 proved that there is any fish here of the social type, and Mrs. R. states that 

 »tish are not picntifuh — an observer must seek an eminence dominating a 

 considerable space of water. TiioMsox tells us that from the towers the move- 

 ments of the turtles wer(> watched. The ob.server must keep outside the 

 t(nver. or on the top of it, not a very comfortable place. Really, the tower 

 itselt would have been little more than a refuge in bad weather and during 

 the night, but for such a jnupose a much simpler structure would indeed 



