HoNGi. — Maori Numeration. 



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of numerals which is of the first importance to this inquiry. There is but 

 one table set out, and it progresses step by step. From that table I submit 

 the following extracts : — 



1. Ka-tahi. 

 11. Ka-tahi te angahuru, ka-tahi. (Note the repeated l-a.) 



100. Ka ran. 



101. Ka tahi te ran ma-tahi. (Note the ma-tahi.) 



200. Ka rua te ran. (Note the peculiar use of the singular article.) 



201. Ka rua te rau ma-tahi. 



300. Ka toru te rau. 



301. Ka toru te rau ma-tahi. 

 400. Ka ha le rau. 



And so on. 



In comparing this with our Table A, internal differences are readily 

 observed. For instance, the use of the article singular for both the singular 

 and the plural — ha tahi te rau, and Ka rua te rau. The repeated ha, too, 

 is used to usurp the place of ma — ma, it appears, not being used until a 

 hundred is reached — ha tahi te rau ma tahi — whereas with the Maori it is 

 after a hundred is reached that the ha is repeated. Obviously their ma-tahi 

 means " and one," just as it does with us, and it is as proper to their " ten 

 and one " as it is to their " hundred and one," in which it first appears. 

 That, however, and the misuse of the singular article te in connection with 

 the plural niunber — ha toru te rau = the three hundreds — may be entirely 

 due to the compilers of their table. It is in nice matters that special know- 

 ledge on the part of the compiler is very much needed ; the pity of it is that 

 such knowledge is too rare. However, as the table stands, and notwith- 

 standing its apparent defects, it is a fine (because independent) example of 

 this particular method of Maori numeration. Under " Ngahuru," we shall 

 have occasion to further notice it. 



Let us now, and more briefly, consider the uses of the next vowel, e. 

 E speaks in a plural sense ; in a singular sense it is used as he. As a 

 numerical prefix, e or he answers the question, " How many is (or are) 

 there ? " 



