102 On Aboriginal AH 



they are diametrically opposed to each other. The Fijian 

 usually adopts an angular style of ornament ; the New 

 Zealander generally employing a convoluted design. These 

 people are equally opposed in then' respective manners of 

 making fabrics for articles of clothing, &c., the Fijian being 

 far behind the New Zealander in this respect. This you 

 will see to be fully proved by the specimens which I have 

 this evening placed before you. The New Zealander excels 

 in the latter point, but, on the other hand, I would also 

 point out the advantage possessed by the Fijian in the 

 manufacture of pottery ; an art which seems to be almost 

 unknown to the New Zealander. Throughout these woven 

 and fictile manufactures they each adhere to their peculiar 

 designs, and to distinguishing features of ornamentation." 



" It matters not upon whatever work these people are 

 engaged, whether in the construction of their houses, the 

 building of their canoes, in the making of their weapons, 

 or their ornaments for personal wear, each invariably 

 adheres to a style which is one of the distinguishing peculi- 

 arities of the race. This practice is studiously borne out, 

 and belongs to the majority of the races inhabiting the 

 South Pacific Islands. Again, closer distinguishing features 

 may be detected in the works of the various tribes com- 

 prising the different races ; each tribe strictly adhering to 

 some special design of its own ; usually some characteristic 

 carving on the end of their weapons of war ; some adopting 

 a convex, others a concave form, either with or without 

 ornament ; others afiect a flat or square surface, so that it 

 requnes a long acquaintance with their works 'to be enabled 

 to class them." 



Frequently I have observed specimens obtained from 

 one locality or race of people which have obviously been 

 produced in other islands. This occui-rence may be easily 

 accounted for, by the fact of sea-faring men bartering them, 

 and even by the barter which these difierent native people 

 efiect, at times, among themselves." 



Mr. Pain shows that errors originating from causes of the 

 kind alluded to have been promulgated in works of an 

 otherwise reliable character. 



"In further illustration of these views I may refer to 

 Owen Jones' beautiful and elaborate grammar of ornament. 

 Its first three pages are devoted to illustrations of aboriginal 

 art; and are copied from specimens in the United Service 



