310 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
naked feet were placed on this short branchy and thus, 
elevated about three feet from the ground, they pur¬ 
sued their pastime. 
The boys were very fond of the uo, or kite, which 
they raised to a great height. The Tahitian kite was 
different in shape to the kites of the English boys. 
It was made of light native cloth, instead of paper, and 
formed in shape according to the fancy of its owner. 
These are only some of the principal games, or 
amusements, of the natives ; others might be added, but 
these are sufficient to shew that they were not destitute 
of sources of entertainment, either in their juvenile or 
more advanced periods of life. With the exception of 
one or two, they have all, however, been discontinued, 
especially among the adults 3 and the number of those 
followed by the children is greatly diminished. This 
is, on no account, matter of regret. When we consider 
the debasing tendency of many, and the inutility of 
others, we shall rather rejoice that much of the time of 
the adults is passed in more rational and beneficial 
pursuits. Few, if any of them, are so sedentary in their 
habits, as to need these amusements as a means of exer¬ 
cise ; and they are not accustomed to apply so closely to 
any of their avocations, as to require them merely for 
relaxation. 
