ural course of his advancement to be at last employed by a chief, or
king; and it would then be a part of his duties to purvey the victim for
sacrifice. One of the doomed families was indicated; the aito took his
weapon and went forth alone; a little behind him bearers followed with
the sacrificial basket. Sometimes the victim showed fight, sometimes
prevailed; more often, without doubt, he fell. But whatever body was
found, the bearers indifferently took up.

Note 2, page 141. "_Pai_", "_Honoura_", and "_Ahupu_". Legendary persons
of Tahiti, all natives of Taiarapu. Of the first two I have collected
singular although imperfect legends, which I hope soon to lay before the
public in another place. Of Ahupu, except in snatches of song, little
memory appears to linger. She dwelt at least about Tepari,--"the
sea-cliffs,"--the eastern fastness of the isle; walked by paths known
only to herself upon the mountains; was courted by dangerous suitors who
came swimming from adjacent islands, and defended and rescued (as I
gather) by the loyalty of native fish. My anxiety to learn more of
"Ahupu Vehine" became (during my stay in Taiarapu) a cause of some
diversion to that mirthful people, the inhabitants.

Note 3, page 142. "_Covered an oven._" The cooking fire is made in a
hole in the ground, and is then buried.

Note 4, page 143. "_Flies._" This is perhaps an anachronism. Even
speaking of to-day in Tahiti, the phrase would have to be understood as
referring mainly to mosquitoes, and these only in watered valleys with
close woods, such as I suppose to form the surroundings of Rahero's
homestead. A quarter of a mile away, where the air moves freely, you
shall look in vain for one.

Note 5, page 144. "_Hook_" of mother-of-pearl. Bright-hook fishing, and
that with the spear, appear to be the favourite native methods.

Note 6, page 145. "_Leaves_," the plates of Tahiti.

Note 7, page 146. "_Yottowas_," so spelt for convenience of
pronunciation, _quasi_ Tacksmen in the Scottish Highlands. The
organisation of eight sub-districts and eight yottowas to a division,
which was in use (until yesterday) among the Tevas, I have attributed
without authority to the next clan (see page 155).

Note 8, page 146. "_Omare_," pronounce as a dactyl. A loaded
quarterstaff, one of the two favourite weapons of the Tahitian brave;
the javelin, or casting spear, was the other.

Note 9, page 148. "_The ribbon of light._" Still to be seen (and heard)