DECORATIVE ART 



237 



(with the possible exception of some of the figures 

 carved by Malanaus) is the human form reproduced 

 with any high degree of accuracy or artistic merit 

 (Figs. 50-53). 



Fig. 54. 



Fig. 55. 



Fig. 57. 



The animal forms are used chiefly as the figure- 

 heads of war - boats and at the ends of the main 

 roof-beams of the houses ; and some of these are 

 executed with a degree of artistry that must win 

 our admiration, especially when we reflect that the 

 timber used is generally one of the harder kinds 

 (but not iron-wood) such as the mirabo [Afzelia 



