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The Atoll of Funafuti, Ellice group : its zoology, botany, ethnology and general structure based on collections made by Charles Hedley of the Australian Museum, Sydney, N.S.W.

[introduction]

The old-fashioned kilt dress of Polynesia is still made and used on Funafuti. It is, however, like most native articles, in process of decadence, being only worn by the poorer people or by those page 240engaged in rough work meaning to save more valued clothes. The Tahitian " tiputa" has been imposed by the mission upon the women; both sexes wear the Fijian "lava lava" of European calico, another modern innovation. For state occasions the men wear shirt and trousers, and the women loose gowns in which they each appear awkward and uneasy. I did not learn that tappa cloth was made on the atoll.