POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
239 
was followed by Mr. Davies, who heard his address to 
the object of hope and fear, in words to the following 
effect:—O my atua, or god, here is some good proper¬ 
ty, knives, scissors, looking-glasses, &c. e hoo paha vau^ 
na moa na taiia^ perhaps I may sell some of the fowls 
belonging to us two, for it. It will be good property for 
you and me.” After waiting a few moments, he pre¬ 
tended to receive an answer in the affirmative, and re¬ 
turned, stating that the god had consented to the appro¬ 
priation. The sacred fowls were accordingly hunted by a 
number of boys and dogs, and several secured, and sold 
for the above-mentioned articles. 
The oracle was not the only method by which the peo¬ 
ple were accustomed to consult the gods; nor was the 
inspiration of the priests the exclusive manner by which 
supernatural direction was revealed to the people. Divi¬ 
nation, or augury, was practised in a variety of modes, 
and by these means it was thought that future events 
were made known, and information was communicated. 
Much of their augury was connected with the sacrifices 
they offered. The diviners noticed the manner in which 
the victims died, their appearance after death, &c. and by 
these means determined what was the will of the god.^— 
They had also a singular method of cutting a cocoa-nut, 
and, by minutely examining its parts, of ascertaining 
their portentous indications. These ceremonies were 
generally practised in the temple. 
There were others, however, performed elsewhere, as 
the patii, which consisted in dividing a ripe cocoa-nut 
into two equal parts, taking the half opposite to that 
to which the stalk was attached, and proceeding with it 
in a canoe to some distance from the shore; here the 
priest offered his prayers 5 and then placing the cocoa- 
