176 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Idolatry was interwoven with their naval architecture^ 
as Well as every other pursuit. The priest had certain 
ceremonies to perform^ and numerous and costly 
offerings were made to the gods of the chief, and of the 
craft or profession, when the keel was laid down, when 
the canoe was finished, and when it was launched. 
Valuable canoes were often among the national offerings 
presented to the gods, being ever afterwards sacred to 
the service of the idol. 
The double canoes of the Society Islands were larger, 
and more imposing in appearance, than most of those 
used in New Zealand or the Sandwich Islands, but by 
no means so strong as the former, nor so neat and light 
as the latter. I have, however, made several voyages 
in them. In fine weather, and with a fair wind, they 
are tolerably safe and comfortable; hut when the weather 
is rough, and the wind contrary, they are miserable sea- 
boats, and are tossed about completely at the mercy of 
the winds. Many of the natives that have set out on 
voyages from one island to another have been carried 
from the group altogether, and have either perished at 
sea, or drifted to some distant island. 
In long voyages, single canoes are considered safer 
than double ones, as the latter are sometimes broken 
asunder, and are then unmanageable ; but, even though 
the former should fill or upset at sea, as the wood is 
specifically lighter than the water, there is no fear of 
their sinking. When a canoe is upset or fills, the 
natives on board jump into the sea, and all taking hold of 
one end, which they press down, so as to elevate the 
other end considerably above the sea, a great part of the 
water runs out; they then suddenly loose their hold of 
the canoe, which falls upon the water, emptied in some 
