CoLenso.—On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 143 
at Hawke's Bay. An old chief, named Te Wereta, who resided at Wharau- 
rangi, between Castle Point and Cape Palliser, uttered these words, and he 
got a lion's share of that money—and he lived more than twenty years 
after. . 
Another of similar meaning :— 
201. Maaku tenei, ma te ra e too ana. He aha kei a koe? Kei te ra e huru 
ake ana. 
Leave this for me, for the setting sun. Why shouldst thou care 
about it ? the sun just sprouting up (or beginning life). 
I scarcely recollect a single instance of those words being advanced by 
the aged, (in former years), and not heeded by the younger folks. It always 
seemed, to me, to form an admirable trait in their character ; one, no doubt, 
grounded on ancient custom. 
202. Whangaia ta taaua tuahine, he tangi i a taaua. 
Let our little sister be fed and nourished, to mourn over you and me 
(when we die). 
Meaning : That a widow's mourning is soon over, for she marries again ; 
but with a sister it is lasting and true. 
This is also eminently shown in the Greek tragedies, by Antigone and 
Electra:— Sophocles. 
208. Taku hei piripiri, taku hei mokimoki, taku hei tawhiri, taku katitaramea. 
My necklace of scerfted moss; my necklace of fragrant fern; my 
necklace of odorous shrubs; my sweet-smelling locket of 
Taramea. 
This affectionate and pretty distich was often sung to a little child when 
fondling it, expressive of love. A short explanation may be given of the 
four plants mentioned in it. Piripiri is a fine horizontal moss-like Hepatice 
(Lophocolea nove-zealandie and other allied species) found in the dense 
forests; Mokimoki is the fern Doodia caudata ; Tawhiri is the shrub, or small 
tree, Pittosporum tenuifolium; Taramea is the Alpine plant Aciphylla colensoi. 
From the two last a fragrant gum was obtained ; that, however, from the 
needle-pointed Aciphylla only through much ceremony, labour, and 
trouble,—and, I may say, pain,—gently indicated in the prefix given to it 
in the chaunt—sati — sudden sharp prick, or puncture. All those scents 
were much prized by the New Zealanders, who wore them in little sachets 
suspended to their necks. 
204. E iti noa ana, na te aroha. 
(The gift) is very small indeed, still (it is given) from love. 
205. To Kakawai ngako nui, aroaro tahuri kee. 
Ah! you take my fine fat Kahawai fish (Arripis salar), but you turn 
away your face from me. . 
Applied to one who receives presents, but returns no love. 
