Marks of Carved Beaters in Kapa. 



99 



diredliou, under either of these patterns, but another form of beater with a series of 

 grooves at right angles to another, and piipii or depressions in the square interstices 

 would cut the material into a sort of network possessing great mobility in more than 

 one dire(?tion. This is shown in Fig. 50, the beater being the Iiahia pup2i. This well 

 illustrates the role of the little holes which seem at first a merel}- idle variant of the 

 pattern. We must give the Hawaiians the credit of having thought out the simple 

 means of giving additional flexibility' to the kapa withoiit diminishing to any great 

 extent the substance. In the photographs we are looking through the cloth, but. 



IflG. 4S. PLAIN KAPA. 



FIG. 49. KAPA MARKED WITH KOEAU. 



except in this test, the cloth does not show the marking here so distinct. When, how- 

 ever, the kapa is beaten very thin the beater marking does make a distinct appearance 

 on the surface, although far from as distinct as when viewed by transmitted light. 

 The form of Fig. 50 is rather a distinct Kauai form, and seldom, if ever, found on kapa 

 beaten on the other islands. There is another of these apparently merely ornamental 

 patterns that accomplishes the same end without the pupu. This is the hahia iipena^ 

 shown in Fig. 51. The black lines of this pattern are where the pulp has been forced 

 into the deep grooves, and the white rude triangles between where the flat surface of 

 the beater has compressed the general surface of the kapa. Such cloth is very flexible 

 even when quite thick, and was well adapted for malo and pa'ii making. 



Examples could be multiplied of the desirable modifications wrought by the 

 carved beaters in the texture of the fabric, but those given will explain the process. 



