386 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
of ciliet are extended above the rafters, and in each of 
the spaces between, from the lower edge to the ridge. 
The thatchers now take a reed of leaves, and fasten it 
to the lower ends of the rafters at the left extremity of 
the roof, and, placing another reed about an inch above 
it, pierce the leaves with a long wooden needle, and 
sew it to the lines fixed on the outer side of the rafters 
and in the space between them: when six or eight reeds 
are thus fixed, they pass the cord with, which they are 
sewn two or three times round each of the three rafters 
over which the reed extends. Placing every successive 
reed about an inch above the last, they proceed until 
they reach the ridge. The workmen now descend, and 
carry up another course of thatch, in the same way 
inserting the ends of the reeds of the fresh course into 
the bent part of the leaves on the former. It is sin¬ 
gular to see a number of men working underneath the 
rafters, in thatching a house. 
When the roof is finished, the points only of the 
long palm-leaves are seen hanging on the outside; and 
the appearance within, from the shining brown colour 
of the leaves bent over the reeds, and the whiteness of 
the rafters, is exceedingly neat and ingenious. The 
inside of the rafters of the chiefs’ houses, or public 
buildings, is frequently ornamented with braided cords 
of various colours, or finely-fringed white or chequered 
matting. These are bound or wrapped round the rafters, 
and the extremities sometimes hanging down twelve or 
thirteen inches, give to their roof or ceiling a light 
and elegant appearance. Most of the natives are able 
to thatch a house, but covering in the ridge is more dif¬ 
ficult, and is only understood by those who have been 
regularly trained for the work. A quantity of large 
