318 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
peace, an ambassador was sent with a flag of truce, 
which was usually of native cloth, a bunch of the 
sacred miro, or a bunch of feathers fixed to the 
end of a reed, and called the manufaiti, and pro¬ 
posals of peace. If the other party were favour¬ 
able, an interview followed between the leaders, 
attended by the priests and national orators. 
They usually sat in council on the ground, either 
under a shady grove, or on the sandy beach. The 
orators of those who had sent the proposals made 
the first harangue; this was followed by a reply 
from the orator of the other party, who was sitting 
on the ground opposite, and ten or twenty yards 
distant. Each held in his hand a bunch of the 
sacred miro. The king or chiefs sat beside them, 
while the people stood around, at some distance. 
When the terms were agreed upon, the wreath of 
peace was woven with two or three green boughs, 
furnished by each, as the bond of reconciliation 
and friendship. Two young dogs were then ex¬ 
changed by the respective parties, and the apa pia 
brought; this was sometimes a long strip of apa, 
or cloth, white on one side,, and red on the other; 
the cloth was joined together,, by both parties, in 
token of their union, and imprecations were in¬ 
voked on those who should hae , or rend, the apaa 
pia, or band of peace. The apaa pia and the 
green boughs were then offered to the gods, and 
they were called upon to avenge the treachery of 
those who should rend the band, or break the 
wreath. Divinations were also used, to know 
whether it would be of a long or short con¬ 
tinuance. Sometimes a chief desirous of peace, 
sent a herald with the red and yellow feathers, 
and the apaa pia fastened at opposite ends of a 
cane, saying, “ Fly to the dark water, (opposing 
