I4G Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 



mythical ; besides numerous other contributors tending in the same direc- 

 tion, and bearing on the subject of "Polynesian Folk-lore," and the 

 comparative philology and comparative mythology of the Polynesian Pacific 

 and Central American races. 



I am quite aware that to approach even approximately the period that 

 these islands may have been inhabited by man we must investigate through 

 a different channel than the evidence given in these obscure oral traditions. 

 But let us record them all while the opportunity offers, more particularly 

 for their great value on other branches of the subject of "Whence the 

 Maori," remembering what Mr. Colenso has well said, " That while the 

 details of a legend are always false, the legend itself always contains a 

 kernel of truth ; " for it is almost invariably the case that when a legend or 

 tradition refers to an event even of a comparatively recent period it is 

 clouded in mystery and fable often of a most puerile nature. 



If we give credit to the accounts given of the voyages, etc., of the canoes, 

 we must also allow the accuracy of the traditions of the subsequent 

 wondrous doings of Ngatoro-i-rangi and his sisters starting the volcanic 

 system of this island and the sinking of the Taupo Lake ; the removal of 

 Taranaki Mountain from between. Tongariro and Euapehu to where it now 

 stands at New Plymouth ; also the race between the Waikato and Ranga- 

 taiki Rivers to reach the sea ; that Manukau Harbour was once a lake ; that 

 an island called "Motukeikei" once existed off the mouth of Manukau 

 Harbour ; the severing of the North from the South Island by Kupe ; the 

 legends connected with the "Waikare-moana Lake ; that the Mahia Peninsula 

 was an island ; and that the sandy beach which now connects it with the 

 main land was brought from Hawaiki : and later again, the killing of the 

 Taniwhas ; the travels of Tara and his dog, when Tara dug out the Roto- 

 a-Tara and other lakes about Te Aute ; the wonders performed by Kongo 

 Kako, Pawa, Paikea, Ruatapu, and Kupe ; the shattering of the moun- 

 tains around Hikurangi (East Cape) by the two first-named ; the removal of 

 Mata-rua-hou (Scinde Island) from the Raukawa Ranges to where it now 

 stands; the removal of the Ariel Rocks off Poverty Bay from Makauri, etc., 

 etc. I would suggest : are not these mythical traditions of great geogra- 

 phical changes that have taken place in this country since it was inhabited 

 by man, thus, indeed, taking us back to the remote past ? The genuine- 

 ness of one account is about on a par with the others. 



I will attach some genealogies to this paper, one purporting to show at 

 what period and in what manner the later migrations became amalgamated 

 with the older inhabitants. The other is derived from Papa and Rangi, viz., 

 the commencement of heaven and earth as it now appears. This genealogy 

 takes in Maui, the Maori Hercules, and Tawhaki, who ascended alive 



