Cotenso.—On the Colour Sense of the Maoris. ATT 
matism; that this change has acted very severely upon the children; the 
other great cause being the large amount of absolute sterility and the 
small reproductive powers of the race. I believe that to these two things is 
due the rapid decrease of the race; a lessening in numbers hastened some- 
what, though only in a small degree, by imported European diseases ; and 
that only one imported vice, viz., alcoholism, has in the least helped to 
___ hasten the disappearance of the race. 
7 Taking all things into consideration, the disappearance of the race is 
} _ searcely subject for much regret. They are dying out in a quick, easy way, 
and are being supplanted by a superior race. 
Arr. LXXVI.—On the fine Perception of Colours possessed by the ancient Maoris. 
By W. Cotznso, F.L.S. 
(Appenpum to Arr. III.) 
[Read before the Hawke’s Bay Philosophical Institute, 10th October, 1881.] 
I purpose here noticing more particularly some of the errors in Mr. Stack’s 
paper ; those especially which I have not referred to in my paper.* 
At page 154+ Mr. Stack says :—‘t What stage had the colour-sense of 
the Maori reached before intercourse with Europeans began? This can 
teadily be ascertained by reference to the terms existing in the language at 
that date, for giving expression to the sense of colour.” 
___Ideny that this can “ readily be ascertained” even by any expert Maori 
| Scholar ; still it was, and is known; but not in the bald way that Mr. 
Stack supposes. 
He then goes on to say, that “‘there are only three colours for which 
& terms exist” (!) which he also follows up with certainly erroneous attempts 
_ at derivation of his three Maori terms, relying as he tells us upon “a few 
standard works, which will always serve for reference, whenever a question 
_ May arise as to the meaning of any word in the language. One of the 
i most reliable of these is the translation of the Bible, the work of Archdeacon 
> ete. 
_ Here ack (1)—* for reference as to the meaning of any word in the 
‘anguage,” — thes rinaeks oes would, a confirm me in my sup- 
Position of Mr. led: hundreds. 
— oO 
oer ae ee 
: * Bee above, p. 49. 
See “ Trans, NZ. + Inst," vol and 60 throught whmere Mr. Stack’s 
teferred to, - 
