Vaux.—On the Probable Origin of the Maori Races. 28 
to bythe populace at large, as being something Divine, or rather Diabolical. 
This institution was directly connected with the very prevalent practice of 
infanticide, especially with the destruction of female children. It would 
seem that, by some fortunate accident, the customs incident to this institu- 
tion were not accepted by the Margesans. Human sacrifice was universal, 
and Suttee (Sati) not uncommon. Again, there is the institution (probably 
sanitary), of Tapu (anglice, Taboo),* which, extending to all the Islands of 
Polynesia, is, in an eminent degree, characteristic of them—though not 
absolutely unknown elsewhere. Mr. Crawfurd used to say that the name 
and the practice were of Indian origint—but this may, I think, well be 
doubted. It is not, however, easy from the very various accounts of it, 
to decide,—what may have been its most probable origin: its universality, 
however, proves its antiquity. The Hindu, tapu (penance) is far from being 
comprehensive enough; I should rather have supposed its origin in the 
will of some great potentate or chieftain, who united in himself, as was so 
often the case in former times, not only in Polynesia, but in classical lands, 
the double office of King and Priest. Obviously, no institution could tend 
more fully to foster and support the tyranny of the leading men. While the 
quite recent, if not still prevailing custom, of disusing certain words or 
syllables, which, occurring in the names of great chiefs, might be supposed 
disagreeable to their ears, is, 1 believe, but one further instance of the 
power of ‘tapu.’’ It must be remembered that the usual Maori word for a 
priest ‘‘ Tohunga ” does not necessarily, bear the title now assumed for it— 
but is strictly the “ skilled artisan’ t—the clever fellow, who can turn his 
* There is no doubt that the Tapu was a wise provision (made a religious ceremony in 
order to enforce it more completely) for the purpose of preventing the spread of infection 
ete., particularly, leprosy. (See Hector, ‘‘ Trans., N.Z. Inst.,” Vol. VI., p. 370) 
+ It is true that wee is a Hindu word of common use (tapas) in the sense of 
** penance,” ‘ asceti tion,” ‘* self-torture,” etc., the like—and that, from it, we get 
such derived forms, as T'apaswi, a devotee; Japasya, austere devotion; Tapasani, a 
female devotee ; Taupodhana, one rich in devotion—who leads a life of penance ; and, in 
Guzerati, the same word is used for the servant and minister of a Temple—but, I confess 
I cannot see much connexion between these meanings and that universally given to the 
Polynesian Tapu.—I don’t know what word, if there be one, corresponds with the Hindu 
Sati. But the burning the widow in honour of her deceased husband was not an 
universal custom in Polynesia, moreover, is, in India, an atrocity invented since the laws 
of Manu 
t I suspect the greater number of Tohungas belong to the only tribe which is skilled 
in wood-carving. They live near the East Cape, and are, frequently, yellow-skinned. 
Individuals of this tribe are sent for by the other Maoris all over the Islands to do wood- 
carving for their houses and halls. See “ Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” Vol. L, p. 446.—J.H. 
