178 FUNAFUTI ATOLL. 



REPTILES. 



The only turtle found in the neighbourhood of the Atoll is 

 Chelone mydas, and this was regarded as by no means common. 

 Further notice of the green turtle will be found in the introduc- 

 tory article (pp. 65-7), and Mr. Hedley asks me to insert the 

 following references which he found after the preceding pages 

 had been printed : 



As stated on p. 66, turtles were sacred animals in Polynesia, 

 only eaten after certain ceremonies. One of the best descriptions 

 of these we owe to Lamont,* who writes of Penrhyn Island : 



"The following day, to my surprise, we were again all mar- 

 shalled and marched to the sea shore, where I found a turtle 

 sprawling on its back. After some words were repeated over it 

 by one of the priests who had officiated at the mara, Turua 

 stepped forward to the edge of the water, and, in a menacing 

 attitude, seemed to denounce someone, throwing up his arms, and 

 vociferating at the top of his voice, as if threatening an imaginary 

 being at sea. The turtle (or 'hona,' as they call it) had, it 

 appeared, a spirit in it, which, being driven out by one of the 

 priests, was threatened with vengeance by the bold warrior if he 

 attempted to return. The unfortunate turtle was at once con- 

 veyed to a mara, different from the one we had visited the 

 previous day, and after a few ceremonies was beheaded and 

 disembowelled. A large fire was then prepared on an elevation 

 of stones, and it was sacrificed to the gods. On our return to 

 the gravel plot, where the people had again all assembled, a mat 

 was placed in the centre for me, and the cooked turtle, cut into 

 small pieces, was served up in the shell, in which it had been 

 roasted. Monitu, Taharua, and Turua sat at a respectful distance 

 on the mat, the rest of the people forming an extensive circle 

 somewhat further off. My three privileged friends, diving their 

 hands into the meat, selected the most tempting pieces, with 

 which they endeavoured to feed me. This I rather declined, and 

 was allowed to help myself. As they looked, at every mouthful I 

 took, like hungry dogs, I offered one or the other a piece, which 

 was laughingly accepted and devoured, my generosity being 

 received with flattering comments from the circle. Extending 

 my liberality I threw some pieces to Ocura and Mau Kakara, 

 when, to my astonishment, the women jumped up and fled in 

 terror, shouting ' Huie atua ! ' Taharua and Turua held my 

 hands, and shaking their heads, gravely repeated the same words, 

 but Monitu only laughed heartily at my mistake." 



* Lamont Wild Life among the Pacific Islanders, 1867, p. 182. 



