POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
509 
distressing facts that have been given^ but to exhibit 
in the true^ though by no means strongest colours^ the 
savage character and brutal conduct of those^ who have 
been represented as enjoying, in their rude and simple 
state, a high degree of happiness, cultivating all that is 
amiable and benevolent. 
The bodies of the slain being now abandoned by the 
victors, they turned their attention to the division of the 
spoils of the vanquished, and the appropriation of the 
country, &c. In connexion with this, the rani arua 
was performed, and was indeed considered as a part of 
the ceremony of devoting the slain to the gods. A human 
sacrifice was procured, and offered, principally to secure 
the return of the occupations and amusements of peace | 
feasting, dancing, &c. The burden of the prayer was— 
Tutavae aua i te joo, Roonui arena homai te ao^ &c. and 
which may be rendered, Let the god of war return to 
the world of night: Let Roo the god of peace preside in 
the world, or place of light,&c. 
The local situation of the people, and their familiarity 
with the sea, led them to feel at home upon the water, 
and on this element many of their bloodiest battles were 
fought. A description of their paMs^ or war canoes, has 
been already given. Their fleets were often large. The 
Huahinian expedition, according to the account of those 
still living who were in the battle of Hooroti, amounted 
to ninety ships, each twenty fathoms long,'" on which 
it is probable a number of smaller canoes were in attend¬ 
ance. When the engagement took place within the reefs, 
the canoes were often lashed together in a line, the stem 
of one being fastened to the stern of the other before it. 
This they called api^ and adopted it to prevent the break¬ 
ing of their line, or retreat from the combat. The opposing 
