Conenso.—On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. BY 
a widow of rank (one of those whose husbands were killed in those fightings 
before related), who had by her prudence, economy, and forethought 
secured the kumara; or it may indicate that the kumara, the child so saved 
by her, was itself an orphan there; and, as is not unfrequently the case, the 
name for it was given to, or taken by, its preserver, patroness, or mother. 
I incline to this latter conjecture. (See, below, The Invocation to Pani, 
and notes there.) 
6. Patatai,—whether this was a man, or a bird bearing that name, I 
cannot definitely say; for the word “ moho”’ means,—(1) the various birds 
of the Rail family (of which there were several species),—generically, or as 
a natural class,—of which one species also bears the name of patatai, and 
of moho-patatai ;—(2) a wood- or bush-man; a man, a remnant, a survivor 
of some unfortunate tribe or family, living far away from men, through fear, 
solitarily in the “bush.” Both man and bird are now alike extinct. Iam, 
however, inclined to believe that a man was intended, who, probably, 
obtained that name from his so solitarily acting, concealed, rail-like, among 
the rank untrodden vegetation on the margin of the stream. 
7. Mauiwharekino,—Pani’s husband, Maui-(of-the)-evil-house. There 
were several heroes of old named Maui; this one, however, is distinct from 
the great hero, who bound the Sun, and who fished up the North Island, 
etc., etc.* 
8. Tumatauenga’s destroying the kumara may here indicate,—(1) that 
man, at first, did not know how to cultivate and to preserve that valuable 
root, through ignorance;}+ and (2) that fierce fighting man was an enemy to 
the quiet cultivator, and cared nothing for the arts of peace,—showing 
plainly, in other words,— Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction 
and misery are in their paths; and the way of peace have they not known.” 
(2.) 
Some of the more prevalent Beliefs of the Maoris concerning the Introduction 
of the Kumara into New Zealand. 
These vary considerably in detail with almost every great tribe, or 
people, of New Zealand,—as to the time when, the persons by whom, the 
name of the ‘‘ canoe” (waka), and the name of the sort, or kind, of 
kumara brought; also, its having been purposely sought or fetched from 
*In another ancient legend of Pani (principally found in the more northern parts of 
New Zealand), it is stated that Tiki was Pani’s husband. Tiki, also, being the first man, 
or progenitor, or precursor of man. In Dief., Vol. IL, pp. 47, 116, this is noticed. 
Dieffenbach obtained this information at Kaitaia Mission Station. 
t See a similar figurative indication in the ancient legend respecting the beginnings 
of the fern-root, ‘‘ Trans. N,Z. Inst.,” Vol. XIIL., p. 24, first three lines, 
