THE MAORIS OF NEW ZEALAND. 781 



One word in conclusion. We wish to make it distinctly under- 

 stood that we here give no opinion on any of the subjects in dis- 

 pute. Our purpose is twofold : first, to show the illogical positions 

 in which several of the critics of the work have placed themselves ; 

 and, secondly, to expose the spirit which characterizes the reviews. 

 Quoting from the American Geologist for February : " We at pres- 

 ent content ourselves with a protest against the tone adopted by 

 some of the critics and the air of assumption and of superiority 

 which pervades their remarks. Both are eminently unbecoming 

 to scientific literature and derogatory to the dignity of science. 

 We may add that they are in striking contrast to the moderation 

 and dignity of the replies. 



" It is somewhat difficult ... to discover the motive which has 

 led to so violent an attack on a work which, after all, merely 

 summarizes with caution the evidence as it stands and draws a 

 qualified conclusion from it. Strange indeed is it to see the theo- 

 logian in the van of the evolutionary army, with the geologist 

 and the archaeologist lingering in the rear." 



THE MAORIS OF NEW ZEALAND. 



By EDWAED TEEGEAE. 



MR. TREGEAR has furnished, in the shape of categorical 

 answers to the code of questions sent out by Mr. J. G. Frazer, 

 of the Council of the Anthropological Institute, a mass of in- 

 formation respecting those most interesting of savages, the Maoris 

 of New Zealand. Culling out the more important statements and 

 giving them current form, we obtain a picture of a race which 

 has played an important part in the past history of the region 

 they dwell in, and whose presence is in all probability destined to 

 leave a permanent impression in the life of the colony in which 

 they are being merged. 



The Maoris are divided into tribes, which, coming from a com- 

 mon ancestry, are somewhat of a clannish character, and sub- 

 tribes ; a few of the names of which are derived from animals 

 and objects. No sanctity is attached to the animal or plant from 

 which the tribal name is derived, nor is there any superstition 

 about killing or eating it. The tribes are not distinguished by 

 differences of dress or mode of wearing the hair. 



While particular ceremonies on the birth of a child are not 

 common, certain priestly forms and incantations are observed 

 in difficult cases occurring in notable families, during one of 

 which, when it is performed, the father has to plunge into the 

 river. The mother is tapu after confinement till the ceremonies 



