294 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
course^ the people in general seemed to think his rival 
had but little prospect of equalling the swiftness of his 
speed_, and it was thought he had already secured the 
re^ or prize. The result, however, disappointed their 
expectations i and, as the spectators returned, I learned 
that, although on the first effort it was impossible to 
determine to whom the prize belonged, after repeated 
trials it was adjudged to Pomare’s domestic. The 
faatitiaihemo raa vaa, or canoe-race, was occasionally 
practised on the smooth waters of the ocean, within 
the reefs 5 and appeared to afford a high degree of 
satisfaction. 
Their martial games were numerous; and to these 
preparatory sports, the youth paid great attention. 
The 7 noto, or boxing, and the maona, or wrestling, were 
regarded as a sort of military drilling ; but the veropatia, 
throwing the spear or javelin, and the practice of throw¬ 
ing stones from a sling, were the principal military games. 
In the latter, the Tahitians excelled most of the nations 
of the Pacific ; devoting to its practice a considerable 
portion of their time, and being able to cast the stone 
with great accuracy. 
Throwing the spear, or darting the javelin, was an 
amusement in which they passed many of their juvenile 
hours. It was not a mere exercise of strength, like that 
exhibited in shooting with the bow and arrow, but a 
trial of skill. The stalk, or stem, of a plantain tree was 
their usual mark or target. This they fixed perpendi¬ 
cularly in the ground ; and, retiring to a spot a number 
of yards distant, endeavoured to strike the mark with 
their missiles. These, thrown with precision and force, 
readily penetrated its soft and yielding substance. Al¬ 
though this was with some a favourite amrisement, the 
