202 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
being transformed into gods, one of each sex was 
generally selected, and 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 be¬ 
lieve it could not possibly be so. Korea was also a 
place of importance 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 Tconane , a native game, resembling drafts, and appa¬ 
rently more intricate. The konane board is generally 
two feet long, and contains 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 con¬ 
cluded 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 coral, common to 
all the islands of the Pacific. The angles of both were 
worn away, and the attrition occasioned by the con¬ 
tinual rolling of the surf on the beach, had also given 
them a considerable polish. 
After travelling about two miles, we came to Puna- 
