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PACIFIC EXPLORATION: J. W. FEWKES 
to be investigated in this line of study. Many direct observations are 
desirable to advance our knowledge of the Melanesians, Papuans, and 
especially those Polynesians, if any, that are still uncontaminated by 
civilization and missionaries, with a view to discover ways of primitive 
thought. We need a comprehensive study of the Knguistics of the 
Pacific islands by linguists trained in modern intensive methods, in 
order to determine the relationship of the Melanesians and Polynesians. 
We have no collections of texts, few myths and only a fragmentary 
knowledge of the material culture of these peoples. 
One of the most important Hues of work among Pacific islanders is 
to gather from natives data of this kind which is rapidly being modified 
and will be lost forever if not gathered in the immediate future. Much 
remains to be done on the sociology of the Polynesians and Melanesians, 
notwithstanding the important observations that have already been 
made. There is an urgent call to collect material on terms of family 
relationship as a contribution to primitive society. The observations 
already made should be verified and augmented by new facts regarding 
the sociology of these fast disappearing natives. 
There are many islands which offer facihties for determining the 
antiquity of man on the Pacific islands. Throughout Polynesia are 
scattered many prehistoric ruins of which comparatively little is known. 
MegaHthic monuments occur not only on Easter Island, but also on 
Tahiti, the Marquesas, Tonga, the Carolines and Ladrones. Although 
Pitcairn island was uninhabited when discovered, huge carved pillars, 
massive walls and images, indicate the former existence of a characteristic 
culture. The great stone temple at Atahura in Tahiti, said to be 270 
feet long, by 94 feet wide and 50 feet high, was approached by a flight 
of steps hewn out of coral and basalt rock, showing artistic skill beyond 
that of the present inhabitants. There are ancient stone platforms in 
the Marquesas constructed by people of mixed Polynesian origin which 
rank among the largest in Oceania. On Ponape of the Carolines carved 
stone images over eight feet high are reported; and at sacred Tonga 
there is a trihthon monument, consisting of two massive upright stone 
blocks into which is morticed a sculptured transverse megaHth on which 
is a circular stone basin. Our knowledge of these monuments is very 
Hmited. Field work on them is very desirable. 
Mr. Christian has pubhshed an entertaining account of the so-called 
Pacific Venice, an architectural marvel, situated in the Caroline Islands. 
This monument consists of ancient platforms and massive walls made 
of hewn basalt. It measures 185 feet in length, and from 20 to 40 feet 
in height. Within its enclosure on a raised inner terrace is a stone 
