54 
Wild Life in Southern Seas. 
girdle of yellow plantains or ti leaves; his face 
was stained with mati, or scarlet dye ; his brow 
decorated with a shade of curiously painted 
yellow coconut leaves ; his hair perfumed with 
powerfully scented coconut oil, and ornamented 
with a profusion of fragrant flowers. Thus 
arrayed, disfigured and yet adorned, he rushed 
through the crowd assembled round the house 
in which the actors or dancers were performing, 
and, leaping into the circle, joined with seeming 
frantic wildness in the dance or pantomime. 
He continued thus in the midst of the per¬ 
formers until the exhibition closed. This was 
considered an indication of his desire to join 
their company; and, if approved, he was ap¬ 
pointed to wait, as a servant, on the principal 
Areois. After a considerable trial of his natural 
disposition, docility, and devotedness in this 
occupation, if he persevered in his determina¬ 
tion to join himself with them, he was 
inaugurated with all the attendant rites and 
observances. 
“ This ceremony took place at some taupiti , 
or other great meeting of the body, when the 
principal Areoi brought forth the candidate 
arrayed in the ahu haio, a curiously-stained 
