64 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



The wood-boring grub found in logs or dead trees of 

 Hiatal, rimu, and kahikatea, and known as hnhu, is eaten, 

 either raw or roasted, in its first two stages of growth. The 

 following are its names in the four stages : — 



1. Tunga rakau or tunga haere : The ordinary grub state, 

 actively engaged in eating wood. 



2. Tataka : The grub ceases to bore, remains in a cell, 

 and casts its skin. 



3. Pepe : The wings and legs develope. Colour still 

 white. 



4. Tunga rere : Emerges from cell and flies abroad, a 

 brown cockchafer. 



Toke or Noke (Earthworms). 



Here follows a list of the native names of the earth- 

 worms found in this district. Some species grow to a great 

 length : — ■ 



Kuharu : A large, long, white earthworm. It is eaten. 



Noru : A short white kind, found in stony places. Also 

 eaten. 



Wham : A large worm, larger than the wluti, found in 

 loamy soil. This kind and others which contain earth are 

 stripped with the fingers before being prepared for eating. 

 This forces the earth out of them. 



Tarao. 



Pokotea : A short white worm. 



Kurekure : A short red or brown worm about 6 in. in 

 length. Found in stony places. 



Whiti : Usually found where a land-slip has taken place. 

 These two last are famed for their sweetness of flavour. 



Tai, or noke tai : A small light-coloured worm. 



To cook these worms some water is placed in a bowl and 

 rendered warm (not hot) by means of hot stones. The worms 

 are then cast into the water and allowed to remain there for 

 some hours. Before long (before the sun sets) the worms will 

 have become dissolved, or partially so, but were the water too 

 hot they would not melt. Some cooked puivha (greens) is 

 added to the mess and a prized dish is ready ; the gods who 

 live for ever would smile at the sight of it. 



The two most prized kinds, mentioned above, were re- 

 served as food for the chiefs. The sweet flavour (taivara) of 

 those kinds is said to remain in the mouth for two days. I 

 cannot speak from experience. 



Worms were preserved in gourds for some time. The best 

 kinds were favourite o matenga of former days : the last food 

 taken by a dying person is so termed. The flesh of the kiore 

 was another favourite o matenga. 



