cross", connected by an upper circular lug with constricted neck around which human hair braid (?) is tied for suspension to some turns (2) of braid tied around middle of coil of many folds of finely plaited human hair of which part on right (3) was preserved but left half (4) "of hair cords completely fell away on removal" from cave site; end of left coil evidently tied with turns of similar material. b, smaller ball ornament showing upper circular lug with constricted neck; deeply discolored and showing commencement of surface decay.
Cylindrical Ivory Beads (Atiu)
A set of eight whale ivory beads (fig. 62) was discovered by Gruning (34, pp. 22, 25, pl. 17) in another burial place in Atiu. Seven are cylindrical and one spherical. The cylindrical beads are somewhat barrel-shaped with a greater diameter in the middle than at the ends which are flanged. All are pierced for threading on a string, the cylindrical ones being drilled longitudinally. No other beads of this form have been recorded from the Cook Islands, but a number have been collected elsewhere. The long even holes differ from the funnel-shaped holes formed by native Polynesian drills. The question of diffusion and foreign technique requires investigation.
Human Hair Necklaces (Mangaia)
Fine braid of human hair about 2 mm. wide is termed manoa, and, according to Gill (32, p. 337), the quantity of hair indicated the rank of the wearer. The braid was wound in long loops, and the ends of the combined loops were tied with a cord, usually of bast, to fasten the braid around the neck. To the middle of the hair loop, some ornament was usually attached. These necklaces were worn by men, but an exception was made for the favorite daughter of a chief. Mangaian specimens of human hair necklaces with pearl shells attached are found in various museums. Cook (20, p. 195) states that the Atiuans wore their bone ornaments hung around the neck with a great many folds of small cord (fig. 61, a). It is probable that the "small cord" consisted of human hair braid and that the other islands in the group used human hair for a similar purpose.
If the valuable whale ivory and pearl shell were not available, wood was sometimes used for neck ornaments. Thus the Atiuans copied the whale ivory ball ornament in tamanu wood (fig. 60, d, e). Gill states (32, p. 337) that in lieu of the pearl-shell ornament a piece of miro wood was adzed into the shape of a shell. He states also that a woman of rank might wear a "miro" ornament.
Pearl-shell Breast Ornaments
Pearl-shell ornaments consisting of one valve of the shell with the hinge portion cut off were worn throughout the Cook Islands. The outer surface was ground down to remove the dark external color and reveal the pearly sheen beneath. The upper, cut edge was drilled with holes for lashing the shell to the neck band, which consisted of many folds of human hair braid. Cook (20, p. 173) speaking of a Mangaian says: "… The same person had two polished pearl-shells, and a bunch of human hair, loosely twisted, hanging about his neck, which was the only ornament we observed."
Pearl-shell ornaments were not observed by Cook's party in Atiu, but Gruning (34, p. 22) found "a small circular pearl-shell breast plate or pendant" in a burial cave in Atiu. Of Hervey Island (Manuae), Cook (20, p.210) says: "The shell of a pearl-oyster polished, and hung about the neck, was the only ornamental fashion that we observed amongst them; …"
The pearl oyster was not found in the waters around the volcanic islands of the Cook group, so the shells from which the ornaments were made must have been obtained by trade or as gifts from other islands. Williams (81, p. 90) tempted the Mangaians to come on board his schooner by holding up knives and pearl shells. The fact that he brought pearl shells from Tahiti as page 118articles of trade, shows that the lack of the pearl oyster in the Cook Islands was, known in the northern islands. The only pearl-shell ornaments of the Cook group that I have seen, come from Mangaia, but one of doubtful age is reported from Aitutaki. The