Те Raxaei Hrgoa.— Maori Plaited Basketry and Plaitwork. 349 
The tau, or flax-fibre cord, is attached in the following manner: The 
one end of the belt sharply defined. The two ends of fibre are divided 
into three equal portions and plaited into a three-ply braid. It is usually 
about 2ft. in length. As it thins out towards the end the three-ply braid 
may be changed into a two-ply twist and finished off with an overhand 
ot. The same process is repeated at the other end of the belt. When the 
belt has an uneven number of strands an end of the continuous karetu 
cord will be at each end of the belt. They are usually incorporated in one 
of the divisions of the tau, and plaited in with it for an inch or so to fix them. 
With an even number of strands both ends of the karetu braid will be at 
one extremity of the belt. They are then usually knotted together with a 
reef-knot. The tau are usually of black-dyed fibre. Red-dyed fibre is some- 
times used in addition to the black, in which case a length of one colour 
is looped round all the strands, whilst the other is looped round some of the 
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strands, and usually crossed over the first loop. The plaiting of the tau 
is then of the rauru pattern. The black or red-and-black tying-cords lend 
contrast to the yellowish karetu strands, improving the appearance of the 
belt. The karetu has a sweet-smelling odour, which recommended it to the 
women. (See Plate 35, fig. 2. 
.) Tu-maurea.—This belt was sought after by women on account 
of the reddish-yellow colour of the maurea leaves when dry. It is made in 
exactly the same manner as the tu-karetu. e wefts are much narrower 
and more brittle. According to Best (3), they were strengthened by the 
addition of some flax-fibre. he maurea braid is about + іп. in width 
The specimen in the Auckland Museum is 34 in. long, with black flax- 
fibre cords of 20 in. each, and it has eleven strands. 
{ іп. in diameter, and form a heavier, stronger, and better-looking belt 
than the previous two. The strands are prepared in a peculiar manner 
and, though not really coming under the heading of plaiting, Best's (3) 
description of the technique is included for the sake of completeness. The 
strands are composed of two cords, each of which has been prepared from 
