Best. — Maori Forest Lore. 219 



searching for the plant you happen to mention its ordinary 

 name (perei), then you will not find a single specimen. It 

 apparently conceals itself when its name is mentioned. Hence, 

 at such a time it is always termed maukuuku. This plant did 

 not originally spring from the earth, but was formed by the 

 gods ; hence, presumably, it has a certain amount of tapu per- 

 taining to it. The roots are dug up in the winter months. A 

 similar superstition to the above seems to obtain in parts of 

 Europe anent the mandrake - plant, and in Tahiti concerning 

 arrowroot and other plants, products, &c. 



The maurea, a coarse tussock-grass of a reddish-brown colour, 

 was formerly sought after for the making of belts for women. 

 It is common in the Runanga district. An old proverbial 

 saying, " He maurea kia whiria" preserves the name. 



The namunamu {Geranium molle) is said by some botanists 

 to be an introduced plant. The Natives steep the leaves in 

 hot water and apply them to open wounds. It is said by them 

 to be antiseptic. The water in which leaves of this plant, of 

 the piripiri, and some others has been boiled is used in the 

 same way. In cases of bruises it is used as an embrocation. 



The neinei (? Draco phyllum latifolium) is found at high alti- 

 tudes in Tuhoeland. In ascending the ranges of the interior 

 one often passes through a belt of 200 or 300 yards in width, 

 sometimes less, wherein this tree is common, while above and 

 below such belt not a specimen is seen. Its plume-like bunches 

 of leaves make this tree a handsome and conspicuous object. 

 Straight stems of the same are sought after for the making of 

 walking-sticks. It is often termed " spiderwood " by settlers 

 and bushmen, on account of the web-like pattern seen when 

 a stem is cut transversely. The Natives hold the green stick 

 over a fire, and when heated it is beaten with a stick, so that 

 the bark may be detached without injuring the fluted appear- 

 ance of the wood beneath. In former times a kind of flute was 

 made from the neinei, the pith being removed in the process. 

 I have not, so far, seen the neinei near the coast. 



The nikau is found only in the northern part of the Tuhoe 

 district, in the bush of the Rua-toki and Wai-mana districts. 

 The young, undeveloped leaves are eaten, and the leaves are 

 used in thatching huts. 



The ngutu kaka is an epiphytal plant found growing upon 

 the tawai tree. It takes root in clumps of Astelia, and sends 

 its roots downwards toward the ground. 



The ongaonga {Urtica ferox) is not common in the Tuhoe 

 district, but is occasionally seen, usually near streams. The 

 larger stems were peeled and the inside portion eaten in former 

 times. It is said to have a sweet taste. 



