180 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
are grooved; one side very coarse or large, the 
opposite side exceedingly fine. One of the re¬ 
maining sides is generally cut in chequers or small 
squares, and the other is plain or ribbed. The 
bark is placed lengthwise across the long piece of 
wood, and beaten first with the rough side of the 
mallet, and then with those parts that are finer. 
Cloth Mallet . 
Vegetable gum is rarely employed ; in general, 
the resinous matter in the bark is sufficiently 
adhesive. The fibres of the bark are completely 
interwoven by the frequent beating with the 
grooved or chequered side of the mallet; and 
when the piece is finished, the texture of the cloth 
is often fine and even ; while the inequalities occa¬ 
sioned by the fine grooves, or small squares, give 
it the appearance of woven cloth. During the 
process of its manufacture, the cloth is kept satu¬ 
rated with moisture, and carefully wrapped in 
thick green leaves every time the workwomen 
leave off; but as soon as it is finished, they spread 
it to dry in the sun, and bleach it according to the 
purpose for which it is designed. The ore or 
cloth made with the bark of the aoa, is usually 
thin, and of a dark brown colour ; that made with 
the bark of the bread-fruit and a mixture of the 
auti, is of a light biown, or fawn colour; but 
the finest and most valuable kind is called hobu. 
