COOK AND COOK: NAMES OF SWEET POTATOES 343 



information regarding the Polynesian varieties seems to have 

 been placed on record, the facts that have been noted incidentally 

 by writers on ethnology and language are sufficient to show that 

 numerous varieties of sweet potatoes are recognized and distin- 

 guished by native names, in the same way that large numbers 

 of potato and other root crop varieties are named among the 

 Quichuas in Peru, although very few of these names have been 

 recorded in the published vocabularies of the Quichua language. 



Although domesticated plants afford significant data for the 

 study of the contacts and relations of primitive peoples, plant 

 names have seldom received much attention from philologists 

 and ethnologists. From New Zealand, however, about 40 na- 

 tive names of varieties of sweet potato have been published, from 

 different districts, the largest list, containing 25 names, sup- 

 posed to represent nearly as many different sorts. 2 



A similar diversity of varieties might be found in other islands, 

 but from most of the groups no varietal names have been re- 

 corded, while in others a few names have been noted incidentally, 

 such as Manana, "the name of a kind of sweet potato," in Ha- 

 waii. In the same group "very small potatoes with red veins" 



2 Three lists of native varieties of sweet potato have appeared in the Journal 

 of the Polynesian Society (2: 102, 3: 144, and 3: 237). Arranged in alphabetical 

 order to facilitate comparison, the names are as follows: 



List 1. (Locality not given.) Kaihaka, Kaipo, Kanawa, Kaoto, Korehe, 

 Kotepo, Maomao, Taurapunga, Toroamahoe, Tukau, Waina, Waniwani, Whaka- 

 kumu. The variety called Waina is noted as having been introduced early in 

 the nineteenth century. 



List 2. East Cape district: Anutipoki, Huiupoko, Kawakawa, Kerikaraka, 

 Kokorangi, Koreherehe, Makakauere (Makakauri or Matakauri), Makutu, Mata- 

 waiwai, Moii, Monehu, Xgakaukuri, Paea, Papahaoa, Para-karaka (same as 

 Makutu), Paretaua, Patea, Pokere-kahu, Puatahoe (said to produce flowers), 

 Punuiarata, Tanehurangi, Taratamata, Taurapunga, Toroamahoe, Waiha (or 

 Waniwani) (same as Huiupoko), Wini. All of these varieties are said to have 

 been cultivated in New Zealand before the arrival of Europeans. 



List 3. West Coast of the North Island: Anurangi, Aorangi, Arikaka, Kahu- 

 toto, Kopuanganga, Kotipu, Monenehu, Pehu, Pokere-kahu, Rangiora, Taputini, 

 Toroamahoe. 



Other New Zealand varieties mentioned by Tregear are Koiwi, Ruamataki, 

 and Torowhenua, the last name said to be used also in the Marquesas group, 

 where Maori is also the name of a sweet potato variety. 



