Putties.—On the Use of Projectile Weapons by the Maoris. 53 
domicile, and the physical features and animal life of a new country, in- 
duced him to forget. It will doubtless surprise the speculators above re- 
ferred to to learn that this very forgetfulness, as a deductive argument, is 
only further proof of the soundness of the original deduction. 
Moreover, Mr. Colenso, in his reference to Dr. Forster's remarks * upon 
the use of the bow and arrow by the Tanna people, is likely to mislead the 
ineautious reader. The Island of Tanna forms one of the New Hebrides 
group, lying slightly to the westward of the longitude of New Zealand, and 
about 1600 miles immediately to the northward. Its inhabitants are a 
mixed race (Papuan and Malayan). As I have already said the bow is a 
familiar weapon of war among the Papuans, let no one suppose for a mo- 
ment that the Maoris came from any of their islands. The ordinary course 
of the trade winds and great storms effectually prevents any such means of 
communication. Dr. Forster’s remarks ‘are, therefore, quite inappropriate. 
Bo also with regard to the natives of New Caledonia. The trade winds blow 
direct from a little to the north of New Zealand towards New Caledonia, nine 
months out of the year, the rest of the year being the hurrieane season. 
(Sydney sailing vessels, in order to reach New Caledonia, have first to pick 
up the longitude of New Zealand). Now the general feature of the South 
Sea Island canoe is to run before the wind, though an oblique course can be 
steered by keeping as close to the wind's eye as the sailing properties of the 
particular craft allow. It would have been almost an impossible task to 
tack down to New Zealand from Tanna or New Caledonia. Both of these 
examples are therefore quite beside the question at issue. . Tanna must not 
be confused with Tonga, for Tonga and the Tongese occupy quite a different 
position, and a north-easter might easily have sent a canoe load of warriors 
down to the Kermadec Islands, and so on to New Zealand.+ 
I desire also to point out that the heading of my paper contains the 
words ** peculiar method of propulsion." This peculiarity was the one im- 
portant feature of the paper, and sufficient attention has hardly been given 
to it. Whether the Maori knew or did not know the use of the bow was 
quite secondary to the chief question—peculiarity of propulsion. I have 
enquired of old natives in the Wairarapa concerning the matter, and shown 
them the arrow and whip. While expressing ignorance of the former, they 
readily applied the whip to a raupo stick to cast it in sport. AsI know of 
no similar method of propulsion existing among civilized nations, I think we 
should all feel favoured by Mr. Colenso more carefully enquiring into its 
o i 
With regard to the use of the bow and arrow among other savage nations, 
I gather that it is or has been used as follows :—And first, with regard to 
* Loc. cit. Appendix A, p. 114. t See Note B, 
