Notwithstanding their pacific inclination they must sometimes have wars, as they are well provided with offensive weapons, such as clubs, spears, darts, and slings for throwing stones.  The clubs are about two feet and a half long, and variously formed; some like a scythe, others like a pick-axe; some have a head like an hawk, and others have round heads, but all are neatly made.  Many of their darts and spears are no less neat, and ornamented with carvings.  The slings are as simple as possible; but they take some pains to form the stones that they use into a proper shape, which is something like an egg, supposing both ends to be like the small one.[2] They use a becket, in the same manner as at Tanna, in throwing the dart, which, I believe, is much used in striking fish, &c.  In this they seem very dexterous; nor, indeed, do I know that they have any other method of catching large fish, for I neither saw hooks nor lines among them.

It is needless to mention their working-tools, as they are made of the same materials, and nearly in the same manner, as at the other islands.  Their axes, indeed, are a little different; some, at least, which may be owing to fancy as much as custom.

Their houses, or at least most of them, are circular, something like a bee-hive, and full as close and warm.  The entrance is by a small door, or long square hole, just big enough to admit a man bent double.  The side-walls are about four feet and a half high, but the roof is lofty, and peaked to a point at the top; above which is a post, or stick of wood, which is generally ornamented either with carving or shells, or both.  The framing is of small spars, reeds, &c. and both sides and roof are thick and close covered with thatch, made of coarse long grass.  In the inside of the house are set up posts, to which cross spars are fastened, and platforms made, for the conveniency of laying any thing on.  Some houses have two floors, one above the other.  The floor is laid with dry grass, and here and there mats are spread, for the principal people to sleep or sit on.  In most of them we found two fire-places, and commonly a fire burning; and, as there was no vent for the smoke but by the door, the whole house was both smoky and hot, insomuch that we, who were not used to such an atmosphere, could hardly endure it a moment.  This may be the reason why we found these people so chilly when in the open air, and without exercise.  We frequently saw them make little fires any where, and hustle round them, with no other view than to warm themselves.  Smoke within doors may be a necessary evil, as it prevents the musquitoes from coming in, which are pretty numerous here.  In some respects their habitations are neat; for, besides the ornaments at top, I saw some with carved door-posts.  Upon the whole, their houses are better calculated for a cold than a hot climate; and as there are no partitions in them, they can have little privacy.