392 A MISSION TO VITI. 
tion of these altars is identical with that observed by 
Turner in Tanna, and only differs in its inferior finish 
from the altars formerly erected in Tahiti and the ad- 
jacent islands. The offerings, consisting of the choicest 
articles of food, are left exposed to wind and weather, 
and firmly believed by the mass of Fijians to be con- 
sumed by the spirits of departed friends and relations ; 
but, if not eaten by animals, they are often stolen by 
the more enlightened class of their countrymen, and 
even some of the foreigners do not disdain occasionally 
to help themselves freely to them. However, it is not 
only on tombs or on altars that offerings are made; 
often, when the natives eat or drink anything, they 
throw portions of it away, stating them to be for their 
departed ancestors. I remember ordering a young chief 
to empty a bowl containing kava, which he did, mutter- 
ing to himself, “There, father, is some kava for you. 
Protect me from illness or breaking any of my limbs 
whilst in the mountains.” 
Besides their regular gods and deified spirits, the Fi- 
jians have idolized objects, such as sacred stones, trees, 
and groves, of which I have already spoken (p. 87); and 
in addition to these, certain birds, fishes, and some men, 
are supposed to have deities closely connected with or 
residing in them. He who worships the god inhabiting 
a certain fish or bird, must of course refrain from barm- 
ing or eating them. 
All Fijian temples—at least those about the coast— 
have a pyramidal form, and are often erected on ter- 
raced mounds, in this respect reminding us of the an- 
cient Central American structures We meet the same > 
