From the anthropological point of view, the editor' specific purpose is to help delineate some of the principal features of traditional religions in Melanesia. At the local level, this is achieved by the individual essays themselves. Yet the publications of the symposium provides an opportunity to make an initial survey of the whole field (not only the material included here but also information from earlier works) so as yo draw attention to major similarities and differences. Finally, the editors examine and compare the most important features of the individual religions in the light of the definition.