BEBELY BEACH AT NlNOLE. 21 3 
practised, if the parties to whom they belonged 
were successful, their fame was established ; but, 
if unsuccessful for several times together, they 
were either broken to pieces, or thrown contemp¬ 
tuously away. When any were removed for the 
purpose of being transformed into gods, one of 
each sex was generally selected; these were 
always wrapped very carefully together in a piece 
of native cloth. After a certain time, they said a 
small stone would be found with them, which, 
when grown to the size of its parents, was taken 
to the heiau, or temple, and afterwards made to 
preside at the games. 
We were really surprised at the tenacity with 
which this last opinion was adhered to, not only 
by the poor people of the place, but by several 
others, with whom we have since conversed, and 
whom we should have supposed better informed. 
It required all the argument and ridicule that we 
could employ, to make them believe it could not 
possibly be so. Koroa was also a place of import¬ 
ance in times of war, as the best stones used in 
their slings were procured here. 
This place is also celebrated as furnishing the 
small black and white stones used by the natives 
in playing at konane, a native game, resembling 
drafts, and apparently more intricate. The 
konane board is generally two feet long, and con¬ 
tains upwards of two hundred squares, usually 
fourteen in a row. It is a favourite amusement 
with the old men ; and we have known one game, 
commenced early in the morning, hardly concluded 
on the same day. 
We examined some of the stones. The black 
ones appeared to be pieces of trap, or compact 
lava. The white ones were branches of white 
