AUGURY. 
377 
with any of the fowls. He proceeded to the tem¬ 
ple, whither he was followed by Mr. Davies, who 
heard his address to the object of hope and fear, in 
words to the following effect: “ O my atua, (or 
god,) here is some good property, knives, scissors, 
looking-glasses, &c. e hoo paha vau, na moa na 
taua ; perhaps I may sell some of the fowls belong¬ 
ing to us two, for it. It will be good property for 
you and me.” After waiting a few moments, he 
pretended to receive an answer in the affirmative, 
and returned, stating that the god had consented 
to the appropriation. The sacred fowls were 
accordingly hunted by a number of boys and dogs, 
and several secured, and sold for the above-men¬ 
tioned articles. 
It has already been stated, that the oracle 
was not the only method by which the people 
were accustomed to consult the gods; nor was 
the inspiration of the priests the exclusive 
manner by which supernatural direction was re¬ 
vealed to the people. Divination, or augury, was 
practised in a variety of modes, and by these 
means it was thought that future events were made 
known, and information was communicated. Much 
of their augury was connected with the sacrifices 
they offered. They had also a singular method of 
cutting a cocoa-nut, and, by minutely examining 
its parts, of ascertaining their portentous indica¬ 
tions. These ceremonies were generally prac¬ 
tised in the temple. 
There were others, however, performed elsewhere, 
as the patu , which consisted in dividing a ripe 
cocoa-nut into two equal parts, taking the half 
opposite to that to which the stalk was attached, 
and proceeding with it in a canoe to some distance 
from the shore ; here the priest offered his prayers ; 
