Vaux.—On the Probable Origin of the Maori Races. 45 
In Tahitian, M. Buschmann points out the existence of nearly the same 
forms, as ¢.g., etahi, or vetahi,e fanu, tu fanu: we find, also, atoa (Maori 
Katoa) as tava mau mea atoa, all these things. Tu fanu, which he renders 
“ quelques uns,” he thinks corresponds with the Malay ano and the Javanese 
hanou. E oceurs also, he adds, in the sense of ‘‘ autre,” and is compared 
by him with the Maori and Rarotongan Ae, and the Tongan guihe:; 
he notes, further, that ke means strange in the Maori and Hawaiian 
and different in Tongan ; he believes, therefore, that it may be compared 
with the Javanese zedje, which bears the three meanings of strange, different, 
another. In the Tongan, I notice kotoa with the sense of all, which is 
clearly the same word as katoa; and, yet another form in Hawaiian, with 
the same meaning, a pau or a pau loa. These, however, can hardly be 
modifications of the former. 
In considering the question of the Verbs M. Buschmann states that it is 
the weakest part of the Polynesian system of languages, and that, though 
there are abundant particles more or less connected with it, they fail to 
determine with accuracy even the principal times ; while there is, also, no 
sufficient distinction between many of the particles employed to denote the 
separate moods. In this, he agrees, mainly, with Dr. Maunsell, who 
considers, truly enough, that there are comparatively few verbs in Maori, 
in the sense in which we speak of those parts of speech in Classical, or 
even European languages, as the same word may very often be a verb, a 
substantive, an adjective or an adverb. 
At the same time, as Dr. Maunsell further remarks, there are, no doubt, 
certain verbs, which may be considered as primitive, and certain others 
which are as clearly derivatives, comprehending under the latter head the 
reduplicated and compound ones. Since, therefore, as a rule, there is no 
variation of the ground form to denote, respectively, number, person, 
gender, mood, or tense; the simplest plan will be to consider separately 
each of the formations, whether by-prefixes or postfixes, which are usually 
held to denote such changes, although it may be quite true as Dr. Maunsell 
urges, ‘‘that there are but few absolute forms for determining tenses.”’ As, - 
I have as yet been able to 
in the comparison of the various dialects 
rved, I propose to take the 
examine, the Maori is generally the best prese 
Maori verb first, and then to shew as far as 1 can, wherein the other 
dialects agree or disagree with it. Now, it is generally accepted (Williams’, 
p. 24), that the Maori verb may be divided into Active, Neuter, and 
Causative, each of these divisions having its own passive. Thus, (1), the 
active and simplest form is clearly seen in the sentence, ¢ kite ana ahau te 
tangata, I see the man; (2), The Neuter, (as expressing, generally, quality 
