PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
123 
the manner in which the muscles were defined it was evident that CHAP, 
these people were not regardless of the anatomy of the figure. It was 
placed in an upright position on the trough or manger, and fastened 
hy the extremities to the side of the hut: the head was bound with a 
piece of white cloth, as were also the loins, and those parts which the 
natives themselves never conceal, the aged excepted. In the trough 
beneath the image were several paddles, mats, coils of line, and cloth, 
offerings which had been made to the deity ; and at his feet was placed 
a calabash, which the natives said contained water “ avy.” On each 
side of the image was a stand, having three carved arras, to the hands 
of which several articles were suspended, such as carved cocoa-nut shells, 
and pieces of bamboo, perhaps musical instruments ; but Mr. Belcher 
abstained from trespassing on this sacred ground, for fear of giving 
offence to the natives, who did not much like this exercise of curiosity. 
Indeed, the whole time he was there, the women were anxious to get 
bim away, and the men looked serious, and were very glad when he left 
^be place. The females accompanied him to the threshold of the 
niorai ; but the men studiously avoided treading upon the sacred pave- 
^ont, and knelt down the whole time he was there, without, however, 
^ny apparent devotion. Mr. Belcher endeavoured to purchase this 
idol ; but valuable as his offers must have been to these poor people, 
^be temptation did not prove sufficient. Another image about the 
size was found upon one of the coral islands of the groupe, clothed 
^n the same way, but more rudely carved, and deficient in the offerings 
above-mentioned. 
R 2 
