300 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
two or three feet above the head, and, being 
curved at the top, appeared to nod or bend with 
every movement of the wearer. 
This was a head-dress in high esteem, and worn 
only by distinguished men, who were generally 
sought out by the warriors in the opposing army. 
To subdue or kill a man who wore a fau, was one 
of the greatest feats. I have been often told, by 
a gigantic man who resided some time in my 
house, and was one of the warriors of Eimeo, that 
when the army of the enemy has come in sight, 
they used to look out for the fau rising above the 
rest of the army, and when they have seen one, 
pointing to it, animate each other by the exclama¬ 
tion, “ The man with the fau; ha! whosoever 
shall obtain him, it will be enough.” But, however 
imposing in appearance these high helmets may 
have been, they afforded no defence; and, although 
formed only of cane-work and feathers, must have 
been inconvenient. 
The slingers, and the most light and agile among 
the fighting men, wore, in battle, only a maro, a 
loose mantle, or ahubu. 
Some of the fighting men wore a kind of armour 
of net-work, formed by small cords, wound round 
the body and limbs, so tight, as merely to allow of 
the unencumbered exercise of the legs and arms, 
and not to impede the circulation of the blood : 
or the Ruuruu, a kind of wooden armour for the 
breast, back, and sides, covered with successive 
folds of thick cloth, bound on with ropes. Over 
this a costly cloth was spread. The head was 
guarded with a corresponding quantity of cloth; 
and thus defended, the warrior, secure against 
either club or spear, was generally stationed with 
the main body of the army, though so encumbered 
