Cotenso.—On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 117 
14. Ka mate kaainga tahi, ka ora kaainga rua. 
Through having only one cultivation the man dies from want, 
through two he lives. 
Lit. One place death (or want), two places life (or good living.) 
This was carried out fully by the New Zealanders, as to food cultiva- 
tions, houses, bird-preserves, eel-weirs, fishing-grounds, etc., not only that 
they might have plenty, but so as to secure some from being carried off by 
their foes, in time of feuds, often happening. 
Another similar proverb ran— 
15. Ka mate whare tahi, ka ora whare rua. 
With one house, want; with two houses, plenty. 
The meaning being much the same, only more applicable to the chief 
having two wives, who, each in her own house, wove garments. 
16. I whea koe i te ngahorotanga o te rau o te kotukutuku ? 
Meaning: Where wert thou in the time of work,—or of danger ? 
Lit. Where wert thou in the falling of the leaves of the kotukutuku ? 
This tree (Fuchsia excorticata) is the only one in New Zealand which is 
really deciduous. This proverb may also be used for many other pur- 
poses ; as,— When in siege or battle your tribe or people were killed, where 
were you? absent or hiding? Meaning, Is it meet for thee to boast, find 
fault, or speak? At such times it is a very cutting sarcasm ; often causing 
intense feeling. 
17. I hea koe i te tangihanga o te riroriro ? 
Where wert thou at the crying of the riroriro bird ? 
The riroriro (Gerygone flaviventris) cries in the early spring, the season 
for preparing cultivations for crops; so this proverb is used to a lazy or 
careless person who is without cultivated food, especially when begging ; 
and it causes great shame. It is not unlike in meaning to the western 
fable of the Ant and Grasshopper. 
18. Ko te tokanga nui a Noho. 
The peaceful dweller at home has always a thumping big basket of 
food to eat. 
Lit. The big basket of Stay-at-home. ` 
N.B.—Here it should be observed that the dweller at home is merely 
named Noho, = to sit down, to dwell quietly: of course such a one is not 
supposed to be idle. 
19. He wha tawhara ki uta, he kiko tamure ki tai. 
Inland is the tawhara fruit; in the sea, the flesh of the snapper. 
Meaning: Sweet food for man is everywhere, in land and water, by 
exertion. 
The tawhara is the large sweet sugary flower bract of the kiekie 
(Freycinetia banksii), generally found plentifully in the white pine forests, 
