ALTARS-OFFERINGS. 
345 
or those erected near the corpse of a departed 
friend, were small square wicker structures; 
those in the public temple were large, and usually 
eight or ten feet high. The surface of the altar 
was supported by a number of wooden posts or 
pillars, often curiously carved, and polished. 
The altars were covered with sacred boughs, and 
ornamented with a border or fringe of rich yellow 
plantain leaves. Besides these, there were 
smaller altars connected with the temples; some 
resembling a small round table, supported by a 
single post fixed in the ground. Occasionally, 
the carcase of the hog presented in sacrifice, 
was placed on the large altar, while the heart 
and some other internal parts were laid cm this 
smaller altar, which was called a fata aiai. The 
pigs, &c. when presented alive, received the 
sacred mark, and ranged the district at liberty; 
when slain, they were exceedingly anxious to 
avoid breaking a bone, or disfiguring the animal. 
One method of killing them was by holding the 
pig upright on its legs, placing a strong stick 
horizontally under its throat, and another across 
upon its neck, and then pressing them together 
until the animal was strangled. Another plan 
was, by bleeding the pig to death, washing the 
carcase with the blood, and then placing it in a 
crouching position on the altar. Offerings and 
sacrifices of every kind, whether dressed or not, 
were placed upon the altar, and remained there, 
until decomposed. The heat of the climate, and 
frequent rain, accelerated this process, yet the 
atmosphere in the vicinity of the maraes was fre¬ 
quently most offensive. 
Animals, fruits, &c. were not the only articles 
presented to their idols; the most affecting part 
