CotEnso.—On the Maori Races of New Zealand. 359 
apart for the purpose, and there put up in the broad forked branches of 
some dark tree; in all such cases to remain until the flesh should have 
decayed. 
(8.) The exhumation, or hakunga—i.e., cleaning‘of the bones—sometimes 
took place within a year after death. For this work great preparations were 
made in the way of preparing provisions, and not unfrequently the ceremony 
was put off until a sufficiency should have been provided. Of course all 
engaged in cleaning the bones were very łapu, and rightly so. Not one of 
the' smallest was ever left behind; they were cleaned, anointed, and 
decorated, the head especially, with feathers and ornaments. After being 
exhibited, seen, wept, and wailed over, they were carried by a single man 
and near relative to their last resting place; the exact spot of deposit, for 
wise political reasons, being only known to a select few. Sometimes the 
bones were thrown into some old volcanie rent or chasm ; sometimes thrown 
into very deep water-holes; and sometimes neatly and regularly placed in 
& deep, dark cave; always, if possible, wherever those of his ancestors 
happened to be; their principal object being to prevent their falling into 
the hands of their enemies, who would dreadfully desecrate and ill-use 
them, with many bitter jeers and curses, The skull might be made to 
serve as a dish for food, or be placed on a stake to be daily mocked, or 
even taken out to sea on fishing excursions, to be taunted and derided afresh 
there with new indignities. The bones of the body would also be used for 
fish-hooks, flutes, needles, skewers, dining-forks, &e. All such ill-usage 
was always dreaded and detested. Some tribes, especially the Ngatiporou 
(East Cape), extracted the teeth, and, having strung them, wore them as a 
necklace ; 
19. Of rank and class, the New Zealanders had keen and clear, if not 
subtle, distinctions. First, there were the great ones of bond and free :— 
(1.) Of the free, there were—(a.) The ariki, or head of the tribe, being 
the first born (male or female) by the eldest branch; the lineal heir or 
heiress. (b.) The principal man (tino tangata) or head of the sub-tribe. (c.) His 
brothers and sisters, and half-brothers and sisters by other mothers. (d.) His 
uncles and aunts, cousins, &c. The tribe or sub-tribe having | 
from one progenitor, the greatness of any one of it depended partly on his 
nearness to that progenitor, and partly on the rank, power, and influence of 
his own immediate parent or ancestor (male or female), who had married 
into the tribe. Thus, paradoxical as it may appear, the children were often 
of higher rank than either of their parents; this often caused what would be 
by us termed gross insubordination. The children of a principal chief by 
wives of unequal rank would not all be of one rank ; as their rank always 
depended on that of their mothers as well as on that of their fathers. The 
