108 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



instance of this, " and was sufficiently well acquainted with the 

 woman herself and family to be free from mistake or misin- 

 formation. 



The woman while nursing is tajm, and forbidden, under pain 

 of death, to touch the food which she eats with her own hands ; 

 and women who violate this prohibition, by eating a piece of 

 Eern-root, for instance, in the mode forbidden by the law of 

 tapu, have been immediately killed and eaten. ('?)* 



It is well known that a Tasmanian woman would kill her 

 new-born babe to permit a favourite puppy being reared by 

 suckling. The puppy was of greater value to the community 

 of hunters than the babe. Maori women used frequently to 

 be seen suckling a sucking-pig, either from affection for the 

 animal or because they could not find children who required 

 foster-mothers. 



The leaves and bark of the native cedar, kohekohe (Dysoxylum 

 spectabile), when macerated with water, were used by women 

 who had lost their infants, to prevent the secretion of milk. 

 Sore breasts were treated by the application of the oil of the 

 titoki fruit (Alectryon excelsum), and the oil hinu-kohia, prepared 

 by bruising the seed of the kohia (Passiflora tetrandra) into a pulp 

 and heating the mass in a native oven, and then expressing 

 the oil by pressure. "Another method of promoting lacteal 

 secretion was to bathe the breasts with warm water. If this 

 were neglected a serious condition termed u taetae would be set 

 up in them." (Tuhoe.) 



Koro-kio-ewe was a deity who presided over childbirth, and 

 did his worst to unfortunate females in that state. Taiepa. 

 an infernal demon, was one of his attendants or assistants. 



At the cutting of the umbilical cord just after birth certain 

 ceremonies were performed. In the first place, the tohunga 

 repeats a charm over the child at that moment. If it be a male 

 the charm is as follows : — 



Cutting to inspire you with courage to tight. 

 Cutting to give strength to wield your weapon, 

 Cutting to fill you with courage, 

 Cutting to make you till food to eat, &c. 



\nd so on, enumerating the various duties and qualities be- 

 lli ting a male. If, however, it be a female, the charm is as 

 follows : — 



Cutting to make you wi avc the 1'olic to keep you warm. 



Cutting to make you till f I to eat. 



Cutting t ake you hackle (lax to weave with, &c. 



Umbilical hernia is common amongst Maori children, and 

 - sems to be due to the custom of twisting the cord, or to its being 



* Women were probably tapu in this manner only with then lirst horn 

 child.- K. B. 



