28 BAPTISMAL [PART i. 



rather Oriental, names which have been given to 

 the missionary natives undergo a transmutation 

 adapted to their idiom, which improves their eu- 

 phony. Unconnected with naming the child is 

 the custom of its baptism. This remarkable cere- 

 mony (E riri) is entirely unique : the time of its 

 performance is not at any fixed period, but it gene- 

 rally takes place during the first few months after 

 the birth. It is done by the tohunga, or priest, who, 

 with a green branch dipped in a calabash full of 

 water, sprinkles the child and pronounces the fol- 

 lowing incantation, which varies according to the 

 sex of the child. The whole ceremony is very mys- 

 terious ; few of the young people have been present 

 during its performance ; and it seems to be a relic 

 of a former more connected form of religious wor- 

 ship, or perhaps of that primitive religion which is 

 the basis of our most sacred religious rites. 



A very old chief and priest in Kaitaia, who had 

 become a Christian, related to me the circumstances, 

 and gave me the incantations. 



It would be necessary to be acquainted very 



Names of Men. Names of Women. 



Hamanu Aroha 



Tumu-Tumu Rangimahora 



Tawao Wakapoi 



E I hi Pirangi 



Matangi Rimginganganu 



Warepouri Rangipaeroa 



E Puni Pareugaoe 



Rauparalm Kaone 



Pane Kareao Eraraue 



