Linton — TJic Marquesas Islands 323 



IMuseum specimens, No. B3070, the tang has evidently been shaped by this 

 method, while an unfinished specimen. No. B3074, is pecked at the bit. Toki aa 

 are said by the natives to have been used for the final dressing of planks. (See 

 PI. xLv, E., F.) 



TOKI KOUMA 



The toki kouma are also recognized by the natives as a distinct class. They 

 are characterized by a long narrow blade of triangular cross section, a well 

 marked tang whose outer surface is often concave, and a narrow bit. In many 

 examples the whole implement has a slight backward curve, the inner surface, 

 which forms the base of the triangle, is more or less concave. The bit is formed 

 by grinding away the base and a varying proportion of the apex of the triangular 

 blade, and by partially grinding the sides adjacent to it. ^^^^en seen from the 

 front, the bit has the appearance of a shallow angular U with divergent 

 sides, and the implement makes a cut resembling that of a gouge rather than 

 an adz. In a few specimens the inner side of the bit is more or less hollowed, as 

 in European gouges. (See PI. xlv, G, H.) 



Adzes of the toki kouma type are relatively common in the Marquesas, 

 forming about 30 percent of all the specimens observed. They are of all sizes and 

 were employed for a variety of purposes from the hollowing of canoes and con- 

 tainers to cutting ornamental designs on canoes and house posts. One specimen, 

 said to have been used for fine carving", is 7 inches long, with a width of about ^4 

 of an inch at the bit. It seems certain that heavy, narrow-bitted toki kouma 

 were also used in quarrying and dressing the large stone slabs employed in many 

 Marquesan structures. 



TANGLESS ADZES 



The tangless adzes include a great variety of blades. The larger ones are 

 probably true adzes while the smaller may have been either adzes or chisels. In 

 cross section they range from nearly rectangular to triangular and in finish from 

 a high polish on all surfaces to a simple grinding of the bit. In all examples 

 seen the sides converge more or less toAvard the poll, which in soine specimens is 

 rounded or almost pointed. The bevel of the edge is in every case ground from 

 the narrow side of the implement, which rests against the haft. In the larger 

 specimens, the whole implement frequently has a well marked backward curve. 

 (See PI. xu'i. A.) 



Adzes of this type are more numerous in the Marquesas than those of any 

 other class. They are variable in size, outline, and cross section and appear to 

 grade imperceptibly into the simple tanged adzes. The tangs of some specimens 

 are so slight that it is difficult to determine in which class they should be placed. 



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