756 Transactions. 
from Mr. H. Stowell, however, that there was quite another reason for the 
Maori partiality to the jew’s-harp. Any one who has experimented with 
it knows how, by altering the shape of the mouth-cavity and the position 
of the lips, it is possible to produce most varied vocalizations ; and the 
Maori discovered that he was able actually to speak through the instru- 
ment—that is, the vocalizations could be made to approximate the sounds 
of speech. Definite songs would be composed for the instrument; and 
Mr. H. Stowell has told me that, after the song had been played two or 
three times over, the listeners were able to repeat the words intended by 
the player. This might not be so very difficult in Maori, where vowel sounds 
she was a girl lovers might be seen sitting side by side, heads close together, 
each with a jew's-harp, known as kukau, speaking to each other very softly 
on the instruments, | 
the vocalizations. So far as the writer has observed, the Maori now pays 
little attention to bird-song that is not capable of vocalization. as 
more than once been near bush with Maori friends, and hearing a miromiro 
or riroriro, or piwakawaka, or other small bird, he has asked, “ What b 
was that?" “Where?” the reply has been, whilst the eyes rang 
apt at the harmonizing. 
The song of the cicada, too, was liked, but principally because it sound 
16 immediately became a great favourite. It appears later on in this pape 
As regards the sound of the putara, the long. wooden trumpet, 1t was 
more appreciated because its vocalization permitted of insulting words 
being blown at the enemy. (Colenso, p. 80, note (1).) 
