150 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Wrestling was also practised by the more athletic 
youth, as a preparation to the single combats usual 
in almost every battle. 
Sometimes they had sham-fights, when large 
numbers engaged, and each party advanced and 
retreated, attacked and defended, and exercised 
all the manoeuvres employed in actual engage¬ 
ment. 
Admirably constituted by nature with finely 
formed bodies, supple joints, strong and active 
limbs, accustomed also to a light and cumberless 
dress, they took great delight in these gymnastic 
and warlike exercises, and in the practice of them 
spent no inconsiderable portion of their time. 
Whenever war was in contemplation, the poe 
kiro (diviners and priests) were directed to slay 
the accustomed victims, and consult the gods. 
Animals only were used on these occasions, gene¬ 
rally hogs and fowls. The priests offered their 
prayers, and the diviners sacrificed the victims, 
observed the manner in which they expired, the 
appearance of their entrails, and other signs. 
Sometimes, when the animal was slain, they em- 
bowelled it, took out the spleen, and, holding it 
in their hands, offered their prayers. If they did 
not receive an answer, war was deferred. They 
also slept in the temple where the gods were kept, 
and, after the war-god had revealed his will by a 
vision or dream, or some other supernatural 
means, they communicated it to the king and war¬ 
riors, and war was either determined or relinquished 
accordingly. 
If the expedition in contemplation was of any 
magnitude or importance, or the danger which 
threatened imminent, human sacrifices were offer¬ 
ed to ensure the co-operation of the war-gods in 
