Figure 92.—Temporary laulau platters:

a, The strips are placed at an angle which approximates the line of the leaflets from the opposite strip. The dextral leaflets of the left strip are divided into two sets of alternates and the first sinistral (1') from the right strip laid in position. Again the other sinistrals on the right are kept out of the way in the right hand. The usual check technique is continued. b, All the sinistrals (1'-6') have been crossed over the dextrals and the position arrived at in plaiting the mailo. Instead, however, of knotting the ends, the plaiting is continued. c, The plaiting is continued to make a longer platter by simply turning in the projecting weft ends as in plaiting the left and right ends of a roof sheet. Thus, on the left side, the lowest sinistral (1') is bent in at right angles under the sinistral above it (2') to comply with the check technique. It now functions as a dextral 'and passes under and over the other sinistrals to maintain the check. The next sinistral (2') is similarly dealt with and (3') and (4') in turn. As this seems a convenient length for the platter, the sinistrals (5' and 6') are left as they are, but if greater length is desired, they may be turned in also. On the right side, the projecting dextrals are similarly dealt with. The lowest is (1) which has to be turned in over the dextral above it (2) to maintain the check. It now functions as a sinistral and is passed through the dextrals in check. This is followed in turn by the dextrals (2, 3, and 4), but they do not continue beyond the transverse line shown by the plaiting edge. The end is finished off by plaiting the leaflet ends into a three-ply braid commencing on the right and finishing on the left with an overhand knot (Plate XII, C, 2). The sinistrals run in the direction of the braid and are added from the inside while the dextrals are simply doubled over and added to the braid from the outside. A rougher finish may be made by knotting the two sets separately as in the mailo.