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of several individuals may be found in one receptacle, and at one of the platforms a collection of skulls alone was discovered in a sepulcher which was opened.
   The rats, which by reason of the loose manner of interment have free access to the remains, no doubt perform an important office as scavengers in disposing of the soft parts, since in no single instance were any bones found, either human or sheep - and the skeletons of both were frequently fallen in with - which were not completely denuded, and the fine litter, which was almost invariably found in the cranial cavity, showed where the rodents had been nest-hiding.
   The food of the Rapa Nuiis comprises the following principal articles: sugar cane, taro, sweet potatoes, bananas, fowl, shell and other fish in large quantities, tomatoes, pumpkins, figs, pigs, and rarely sheep and cattle.
   Their manner of cultivating the soil is of the simplest description. Owing to the depredations of the numberless sheep and cattle, they are compelled to keep all their cultivated patches carefully inclosed, and as there is no wood on the island which can be applied to that purpose they are forced to use volcanic stones. Occasionally, therefore, one may see a wall about 2 feet thick by 6 or 8 feet high inclosing a plot of ground perhaps 50 feet square, in which will be found a variety of the plants above mentioned growing luxuriantly.
   The average Rapa Nuiis, however, perhaps wisely, prefers a fence ready made to building one himself, and therefore selects the standing stone walls of one or more of the old houses, which he appropriates to his purpose. There are many of these scattered over the island, particularly on the eastern half. These require but little repair to put them in order and secure against the entrance of sheep, and, although small, they amply suffice to supply the needs of the native husbandmen. Of course there is no pretense of cultivation; the ground is scratched; the article planted; the rest is intrusted to the care of the omnipotent atua.
   The soil is rich, and ancient navigators report the island covered with vegetation, and yet one could not repress the feeling of surprise, in view of the present unpromising appearance or the surface and unfavorable surroundings, on seeing how vigorously and luxuriantly everything grew within these inclosures.

 
Sheep...................................mamoi.
Horse...................................hoi.
Cattle..................................puaka.
Sow.....................................oru tamahine.
Boar....................................oru tamaroa.
Hen.....................................eufa.
Eel.....................................koiro.
Black sea bass..........................kodoti.

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