BURIAL. MUSIC. CHARACTER. 467 



washed, and finally deposited in a small covered box, which 

 was generally elevated on a column in or near the village.* 

 In some districts, however, they were usually thrown into the 

 sea, except indeed those that were killed in battle. These 

 were generally eaten by their enemies. None of the objects 

 used by the dead during his last illness were ever employed 

 again ; f they were generally broken or buried with the 

 deceased. In one case a moa's egg has been found in the 

 hands of a dead Maori, who was buried in the usual sitting 

 posture. The egg was perfect, { and may have been intended 

 to serve as food for the dead. 



In the Taranaki district, according to Taylor, the natives 

 were buried in their houses, the door was tied up and painted 

 with ochre to show that it was "taboo." In most of the 

 Pahs or fortified villages half the houses belonged to the 

 dead, and these being never repaired gave the village a very 

 neglected appearance. 



Their principal musical instrument was the flute, of which 

 they had three or four varieties. D'Urville|| also observed 

 among them a kind of lyre, with three or four strings. They 

 used large shells, too, as a kind of trumpet. They were very 

 fond of singing, of poetry, and of dances. The latter were of 

 two kinds, warlike and amorous. 



In character the New Zealanders were proud, jealous, irri- 

 table, cruel, and implacable ; but at the same time sensible, 

 generous, sincere, hospitable, and affectionate. Like other 

 Polynesians, the Maories were much given to infanticide.lf 

 The girls before marriage were allowed great freedom. When 

 once married, however, the women were faithful and affec- 

 tionate to their husbands, by whom, on the other hand, they 



* Dieffenbach, 1. c. p. 63 ; Fitzroy, Taylor, New Zealand and its 



1. c. p. 579. Inhabitants, p. 101. 



f D'Urville, vol. ii. p. 536. || 1. c. vol. ii. p. 501. 



t Zoologist, February, 1865, p. IT Dieffenbach, I.e. p. 16. 

 9454. 



2 H 2 



