Tr Raxei Hiroa.—Maori Plaited Basketry and Plaitwork. 709 
growing usually near the coast. The leaves are used for the same purpose 
as those of the previous species; and, though this one does not come within 
used it is included here for completeness. There is no doubt that other 
species of Astelia would be used for temporary purposes where more suitable 
material was lacking. 
Rhopalostylis sapida (New Zealand Palm ; Nikau).—The nikau is abun- 
dant throughout the North Island forests, and is found in parts of the South 
Island. The stem grows from 10 ft. to 25 ft. high. The leaves grow in 
a terminal crown, are pinnately divided, and are from 4 ft. to 8 ft. long. 
The midrib is non and the leaflets very numerous, 2 ft. to 3 Ё. long or 
more, and lin. to 2in. broad. The most primitive kind of basket was 
made from the at similar to those made in the Pacific from the leaf of 
the coconut-palm. 
Hierochloe redolens (Karetu).—The karetu is an erect sweet-scented 
grass, which grew abundantly in Lowe places throughout both Islands, 
but has become scarce in many parts owing to cattle ss stock. The leaves 
are numerous, from 1} ft. to about 3 ft. in length, and 1 in. to 2 in. in breadth. 
They are flat, a deeply striate, and a bright жон? green. The 
leaves were use 8 siei 
Carex К апа Car Maurea ) .—These ы ега herbs are 
found in both Islands, d are ie hth called maurea by the id C. luci p 
has numerous leaves, spreading or drooping at the tips, w (ду ір 
iin. broad), keeled, and with margins and keel slightly oak. The init 
of leaf is up to 2ft. C. comans has shorter and narrower leaves, 18 in. 
ng and 4 in. to д in. broad. They are flat and concave in front, slightly 
rounded at the back, grooved and striate, with slightly rough edges. Maurea 
leaves when dry have a reddish- yellow colour, and are used in women's 
belts 
Hoheria populnea (Ribbonwood, or Lacebark; Houhi, Whauwhi, Hou- 
here). —The houhi is a tree 10 ft. to 30 ft. high, growing in both Islands. 
The inner bark splits readily into strips, which are used in plaiting baskets, 
bands, kilts, &c. 
PREPARATION OF MATERIAL. 
Owing to the nature of the material, the Maori were saved much pre- 
наа labour that is entailed where bark, wood, and roots are used. For 
dividing the leaves into strips and ecc preparing them the only imple- 
ment necessary was a shell. The used were those of the sea-mussel, 
kuku (Mytilus edulis); the b mussel, kakahi (Diplodon lutulentus) ; 
and the mutton-fish, paua (Haliotis). Taking the piimetion of the 
Phormium е аз typical, the processes of preparing the strips differed 
according to the kind of weft required. The kinds of wefts used were 
wefts from a blade of flax, three stages were reco eB (a) splitting the 
blade into even strips; (b) removal of the strips from the butt; and 
(c) scraping the butt ends of the strips. With a sufficient number of blades 
to cones the task, the craftswoman completed each stage before passing 
on to the n 
(a.) S ile the blade into strips (toetoe): The margins and midrib of 
the leaf, with the red or orange line bordering them, were first split off with 
