720 
THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
same length as the others, and are likewise carried in bundles. They are thrown over- 
hand, being held by the hinder extremity, and swung round vertically (see fig. 251). 
The natives have no defensive weapons, such as shields. 
Though there is an enormous abundance of wild pigeons on the 
islands the natives have invented no means of shooting them ; they 
can only climb the trees and catch them roosting, or knock them off 
the nest. 
The natives are extremely expert in wood carving, and show most 
remarkable taste in their designs. The lance heads are often carved, 
the carving taking the form mostly of incised patterns, the effect being 
heightened and beautified by the use of black, white, and red 
pigments ; the white being coral lime, the red burnt clay, and the 
black possibly charcoal of some kind. The human images carved on 
the door-posts of the club houses, and the posts of some of the 
dwelling houses, are also ornamented in the same style (see fig. 257.) 
These patterns are all modifications of the lozenge or diamond, and 
without curves. The ornamental patterns woven in the belts are also 
composed of longitudinal and diagonal elements. They are very 
tasteful, and approach somewhat in beauty of execution the similar 
fabrics of the Caroline Islands (see PI. H. figs. 2, 3). 
An entirely different class of carving is that of the large wooden 
bowls which are used by the natives for eating out of. They 
resemble those of the Solomon Islanders, although never ornamented 
fig. 251.— short Darts by inlaying, but are most remarkable for their graceful forms and 
with reecl shafts and. J J & & 
heads of hard wood, delicately carved handles. The bowls are worked with wonderful 
Admiralty Islands. J 
precision to the circular form, considering the tools available, appearing 
as true as if turned. They are widely open, and provided with a pair of curved handles, 
which rise above the level of the brims, and are usually cut in a delicate spiral. The 
handles are always ornamented with perforated carving, and may include a pair of 
crocodiles, or roughly executed human figures ; sometimes they have no handles (see fig. 
252). The bowls stand always on four short legs, like the Fijian kaava bowls. They 
never have a circular bottom, no doubt because there are no level surfaces for them to rest 
upon, and because the idea is derived from a four legged stool. Sometimes the perforated 
handles are further ornamented by pendants of seeds strung on twine (see fig. 253). 
Their workmanship is of astonishing excellence and great beauty. The finest specimens 
here figured are in the collection of Mr. J. Y. Buchanan, the others are deposited in the 
Christy Collection in the British Museum. 
Some of the bowls are like some of those made at the Solomon Islands and elsewhere 
in the form of birds (see Plate M. fig. 2), and a double one was obtained, composed of 
