84 Transactions, — Miscellaneous, 
Mr. Nicholas, who accompanied Mr. Marsden on his first visit to New 
Zealand in 1814, says :—‘‘ While in the forests at the Bay of Islands, 
observing a hole at the foot of one of the trees, which evidently appeared to 
have been burrowed by some quadruped, we inquired of Kena what animal 
he supposed it was; and from his description of it, we had reason to believe 
that it must be the Guana. Wishing to know how far our surmise was 
correct, we desired our friend to thrust a stick into the hole, and endeavour 
to worry the animal out of it; but this he tried with no effect, for either it 
was not in the hole at the time, or, if there, not to be dislodged by such 
means. Kena, however, was rather well pleased than otherwise at not 
meeting with this animal; for his dread of it was so great, that he shrunk 
back with terror at the time he thought it would come out, nor did he 
examine the hole but with very great reluctance. This we thought very 
strange, for the Guana (the animal we took it for) is perfectly harmless. 
* The chief, Ruatara, however, informed us that a most destructive 
animal was found in the interior of the country, which made great havoc 
among the children, carrying them off and devouring them, whenever they 
came its way. The description he gave of it corresponded exactly with that 
of the alligator. * * * The chief had never seen the animal himself, 
but received his accounts from others; and hence it appears to me very 
probable that his credulity might have been imposed upon.”” 
Captain Cruise, of the 84th Regiment, who came to New Zealand in 
H.M.S. ‘ Dromedary’ five years after Mr. Nicholas, and who resided in 
this country ten months, gives in a few words an interesting notice of 
the abject fear exhibited by the Maori at the mere sight of a small lizard! 
which, as it is (or was) so truthful—as I have too often myself witnessed— 
I also quote :—'** A man who has arrived at a certain stage of an incurable 
illness, is under the influence of the Atua, who has taken possession of him, 
and who, in the shape of a lizard, is devouring his intestines ; after which 
no human assistance or comfort can be given to the sufferer, and he is 
carried out of the village and left to die. * * * This curious hypothesis 
was accidentally discovered by one of the gentlemen, who, having found a 
lizard, carried it to a native woman to ask the name of it. She shrunk 
from him in a state of terror that exceeded description, and conjured him 
not to approach her, as it was in the shape of the animal he held in his 
hand that the Atwa was wont to take possession of the dying, and to devour 
their bowels."t 
In various parts of this island, but all to the north of Napier, I have 
had shown me when travelling (1834-1844), many spots where it was said 
monsters of the Saurian Order had formerly dwelt. 
* Narrative, Vol. Il., pp. 124, 126, 
t Journal, pp. 283, 320, 
