486 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Tamai is the general term for war, in all its diversified 
forms ; the same word is also used to denote quarrelling • 
aro is the term for battle. The modes of attack and 
defence were various, and regulated by circumstances : 
there was either the aro viri, skirmishing of advanced 
portions of each army, or an arota, close engagement, 
when they fought hand to hand. The general divisions 
of their army having been stated in the account of the 
battle of Bunaauia, it is needless to repeat them 5 in ad¬ 
dition to these, there was the corps of reserve. 
The forces were marshalled for the fight by the prin¬ 
cipal leader, who was said to tarai te aro, shape or form 
the battle; when this was accomplished, the signal was 
given, and with deafening shouts and imprecations they 
rushed with bold and menacing impetuosity to u, or join 
in combat. Sometimes their attacks were made by night, 
but then they generally bore a rama, or torch. To am¬ 
buscades they seldom had recourse, though they occa¬ 
sionally adopted what was called the aro nee, or attack 
by stealth. 
When their modes of attack were deliberate, the cele¬ 
brated warriors of each army marched forward beyond 
the first line of the body to which they belonged, and, 
on ^approaching the ranks of the enemy, sat down on 
the sand or the grass. Two or three from one of these 
parties would then rise, and advancing a few yards 
towards their opponents, boastfully challenge them to 
the combat. When the challenge was accepted, which 
was often with the utmost promptitude, the combatants 
advanced with intimidating menaces. 
These often addressed each other by recounting their 
names, the names and deeds of their ancestors, their 
own achievements in combat, the prowess of their arms, 
