Cotenso.—Traditions of the Maoris. 25 
In “‘ the ragged first appearings of daylight,” is another very peculiar 
and poetical use of a common term; lit. it is, the ends of the irregular 
strands of scraped flax yarns (ravelings), hanging from the beginning of the 
weaving of a dress flax garment. 
There are, also, some highly curious coincidences here, agreeing with 
several interesting particulars in Homer’s two descriptions of Ulysses and 
his two long-shipwrecked boats at sea, each of many days continuance—one 
in reaching, and one in leaving Ogygia, Calypso’s isle (Op., lib. V. and XII.); 
though Ulysses was at one time on a raft, and on another, at first, on part 
of the wreck of his ship, and afterwards for “two days and two nights” 
swimming. The coincidences are, (1) Ulysses spurting the brine from his 
nostrils, etc.; (2) his thoughts, words, and modes of encouraging himself ; 
(3) the goddess, Leucothea, appearing to him in the shape of a cormorant, 
and alighting by him (giving him hope); and (4) Neptune’s big billow, 
purposely sent, smiting Ulysses ;—though, here, the “ big billow,’” rolling 
on to do so to Paikea, fled before his invoked ancestor. Of Paul, also, we 
read, of his having been ‘‘a night and a day in the deep;” probably floating 
on part of the wreck of his ship. 
I would also offer a few brief remarks on this story of Uenuku’s son, 
Ruatapu. 
And first, I would premise, that while the details of a legend are always 
false, the legend itself always contains a kernel of truth; a mere invention 
never becomes a legend. 
Ruatapu’s revenge is terrible ; but, as I take it, it was not carried out 
merely to avenge the great insult he had then received from his father, but 
to avenge his mother’s and his tribe’s great wrongs. 
If he had succeeded in drowning Paikea also, and then had got safely 
back to land, which he might have done, in all probability he would have 
been the head young chief of Uenuku’s people; as no one could have 
told the secret,—that he alone knew. No doubt he was very strong and 
brave. 
His parting allusions to their home and people ; his belief, and his direc- 
tions, as to how he should live in their memories and songs; and his 
remarks on the annual recurrence of nature’s signs on the sandy shore in 
the summer season, (which he must have often seen there when a merry 
boy, and perhaps that very time of the year!) and of his being also with 
them in spirit, and of their festal meetings, and simple home evening diver- 
sions,—are all of an affecting kind. He left a wife (named Te Kiteora) and 
(at least) one son (named Hau), who are duly mentioned in several genea- 
logical rolls, and from him some of the present East Coast Maoris trace 
their descent. 
