712 Transactions. 
of the tutu were used as an infusion. On drying, the strips were much 
darkened in colour. 
(b) Black dye (parapara): The black colour is obtained by treating 
the dried strips with the black mud (parapara) from peaty swamps. The 
strips may be rubbed with the mud or, what is more usual, the material 
is pushed down into the mud in the swamp and left there for eight or ten ` 
ho On removal the wefts have assumed а deep-black colour which is — 
very fast. The best mud is in those swamps where a red rust is collected 
from the surface for obtaining the red ochre so much prized by the ancient _ 
Maori for decorative purposes. If the infusion is poured on the mud it - 
turns an intense black, like ink. It is therefore probable that the black — 
colour is cause a chemical combination between the tannic acid in - 
colour of Maori articles soon faded. The strips on removal from the mud | 
dried T. 
hung up to dry, and when quite dry are plaited into floor-mats. 
material is softer than flax or kiekie. 
“ ” 
for “ we 
suppose that you are instructing me in plaiting a mat. We have 5 
off with a check pattern and you now want me to change to a twilled tY 
she replied serenely. “ Then," I said disappointedly, “ there.is no 8рё 
word ? No," she said convincingly, “they are just 
, 
