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Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



western Pacific, whereas the latter migration came from the 

 far east. 



It should be here remarked that these personifications or 

 tutelary genii are not termed " gods " (atua) by the Maori, 

 but merely " parents " or " origins." In like manner the ren- 

 dering of the word " atua" by the term " god" is objection- 

 able ; " demon " is more acceptable. 



The following is a genealogy of Takataka-putea and 

 Marere-o-tonga, although certain traditions place them 

 much further back. It is well to note here that the Maori 

 looks upon most of the singular personifications of Polynesian 

 mythology as ancestors of man, and traces his descent from 

 many of them, as, indeed, he does from the sky, the earth, 

 the heavenly bodies, &c. : — 



In White's "Ancient History of the Maori," vol. in., 

 page 23, is the following sentence : " Nukutere was the vessel 

 of °Whiro-nui, ancestor of Porou-rangi, and of his wife Arai- 



