Linton — Tlic Marquesas Islands 373 



bridge of the nose is usually indicated by a straight line, and the nostrils by semi-circles or 

 semi-ovals. The mouth is shown as a simple oblong or narrow oval with a longitudinal central 

 ridge, and in a few designs the teeth are indicated by short transverse grooves. There is usually 

 a horizontal ridge across the eye ball, but in some figures the eye ball is smoothly rounded and 

 in one specimen there is a distinct central disk, like a pupil. The most interesting feature in 

 connection with the use of tiki figures is the gradual elimination of details. Not only is there 

 a strong tendency to omit the body, but the features of the face are discarded one by one. The 

 first to be lost is the mouth, followed, with equal frequency by the nose or ears. In a few 

 carvings only the linked ovals of the eyes remain, and in some designs a single unmistakable tiki 

 eye, with an attached ear, is used as a separate element. 



(7) REPRESENTATIONS OF ANIMALS OR INSECTS 



Three motifs appear to be highly conventionalized representations of 

 some animal or insect. (PL lxiv, B.) Two of these motifs each occur vipon one 

 specimen only, while the third, with many modifications and variations, plays an 

 important part in bowl design. 



The simpler of the rare motifs (drawing No. i), found in only one specimen, consists 



of a broad straight groove ending in a circle or semi-circle and having along either edge a 



fringe of diagonal lines. The whole form suggests a centipede, but it can not even be said 

 with certainty that a representation of a natural object is intended. 



A second rare motif, also found upon one specimen only, has a long narrow 

 body in the form of a pointed oval, at one extremity of which are placed forelegs 

 and a head and at the other hind legs with a suggestion of a tail. 



The body is decorated with a single longitudinal groove and has on either side a number 

 of short transverse grooves, apparently representing a spine and ribs (drawing No. 2). Each 

 pair of legs, with the head or tail, is treated practically as a separate unit, the form suggest- 

 ing the crosses shown in Plate Lxiii, B, 1. The space along either side of the body is filled 

 in the original with unassociated designs carved at a lower level. The whole treatment is so 

 conventional that identification is difficult, but it seems probable that a lizard is intended. 



The third motif is comparatively common in the modern commercial work 

 from Fatu Hiva and shows a more or less standard form, with many examples 

 \^■hich have been modified in various ways. The standard figure and various modi- 

 fications are shown on Plate Lxiv, B, 3. 



The standard figure consists of a long oval with which are connected three pairs of 

 spirals, two being attached at either end and the third pair somewhere along the sides. There 

 is usually a suggestion of a head at one or both ends. 



A more or less standardized variation, which may have been originally a 

 separate motif (PI. LXiv, B, 4) has a shorter and broader oval body, with or 

 without a head, from the upper end of which spring two broad cur\'ed bands, 

 while to the lower end are connected two spirals or separate scrolls. This form 

 grades imperceptibly into purely decorative designs with no suggestion of re- 

 presentation. 



[113] 



