300 CHARACTER. [1840 



We have different accounts in regard to the cnaracter of 

 the New Zealander ; some pronouncing him vindictive, crafty, 

 and treacherous ; and others again insisting that he is frank, 

 generous, and confiding. Probably all these traits are by 

 turns displayed. The fierce and bloody conflicts, which are 

 known to have taken place between the different tribes, in- 

 dicate a warlike disposition. They are exceedingly proud, 

 and when insulted, inclined to be revengeful ; yet they are 

 hospitable to strangers, and seem to know how to appreciate 

 kind treatment. Though practicing infanticide, to a greater 

 or less extent, they are strongly attached to their children. 

 Honesty is not one of their failings ; but they are somewhat 

 given to trickishness in their dealings, and their intercourse 

 with the whites has hardly contributed to divest them of it. 

 The men are capable of enduring fatigue, yet as their wants 

 are few and easily supplied, they are naturally indolent ; the 

 labor and drudgery, as is generally the case in Polynesia, and 

 among all savage races, being performed by the weaker, more 

 suffering, yet less complaining, part of humanity. 



A fondness for curiosities and ornaments is characteristic 

 of both sexes. Besides tattooing their persons, they bore 

 holes in their ears, in which are inserted small rings of jade 

 or talc, or shark's teeth ; these are tipped with sealing wax, 

 or ornamented with white and red, or other bright colored 

 feathers. The principal chiefs and their wives wear green 

 talc stones, called heitikis, depending from their necks ; these 

 are carved so as to resemble a human figure sitting cross- 

 legged; they are held very sacred, and with the me'dra, a 

 short cleaver or club, are handed down as heirlooms, from 

 father to son. Acquisitiveness is a prominent trait among 

 them, and they are always ready for' trading and bartering. 

 They will sell everything they have, even their sacred 

 heitikis. At one time a considerable trade was carried on 

 in New Zealand curiosities, which wire purchased at the 

 islands, and exported to Australia, Europe, and America. 

 Prominent among the articles of traffic were the tattooed 

 heads of their chiefs, wliich commanded very high prices ; 



