COLLECTIONS FROM THE PACIFIC ISLANDS 



121 



from Samoa and Tonga, and for practical reasons the New Zealand 

 specimens are displayed on either side of the tower. 



In the Polynesian section the examples of decorated native bark 

 cloth (tapa) are especially noteworthy, and a number of canoe models 

 remind us that these people are daring seafarers. A series of ceremonial 

 adzes from the Cook Islands in the northeastern quarter of the hall shows 

 aboriginal carving at its highest level. 





\e&" ^40 



HAWAIIAN FEATHER CLOAK 



In the western section the elaborately carved sacred masks about 14 

 feet back of the Tahitian priest illustrate the aesthetic tendencies of 

 Melanesia, which are also apparent in a totem pole set on top of a vertical 

 case. Very different from these artistic manifestations are the carvings 

 of the New Zealanders (Maori) characterized by the dominant spiral 

 motive. A series of dried and tattooed Maori heads forms one of the 

 most remarkable exhibits in the Museum. 



Near the boundary between the two main sections are the Australian 

 cases with numerous boomerangs and very crude stone tools, which 

 should be compared with those in the archaeological hall (p. -47). In the 

 northwest corner of the hall are shields, clubs, carvings and household 

 utensils from New Guinea. 



