6 8 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



layer of the same nature, had been deposited over the grave, the whole being 

 capjied with 3 inches of European accumulations. 



It is thus evident that the burial had not only taken place long before the 

 Europeans came to the cave, but that the Maoris continued for a considerable 

 number of years to frequent the cave, and to take their meals there after that 

 event had happened. 



This fact naturally leads me to conclude that the cave was not constantly, 

 or even regularly, visited by the Maoris; and that its occupation occurred only 

 occasionally, and by different tribes of natives; because, judging from tho 

 character and superstitions of the aborigines of the present time, we can 

 safely say that, after the burial of one of them, the cave would have become 

 strictly tapu to all those having any knowledge of the fact, at least as far as 

 the taking of meals is concerned. 



This opinion is also shared by the Rev. J. Buller, whom I consulted on 

 this question, and who, having been living for many years amongst them in 

 the Northern Island, is perfectly acquainted with all their customs. 



From this fact alone, and the conclusions therefrom, if admitted, we are 

 obliged to assume that considerable space of time was necessary to form this 

 shell bed alone. 



The body, as before observed, had been tied together with flax, the knees 

 being placed below the chin. Owing to the antiseptic properties of the sand, 

 there were still some ligaments and skin upon the bones, and some hair upon 

 the skull. 



The skeleton which has been articulated by Mr. F. Fuller, and now stands 

 in the Canterbury Museum, belongs to a man of a height of nearly 6 feet, past 

 manhood. The ulna of the left arm is broken, and w^as only partially healed 

 when the man died. 



We are so accustomed to observe natives possessing a fine set of teeth 

 that it is rather striking to see thatjthis aborigine must have suffered very much 

 from bad and distorted teeth. 



Thus we find that most of the premolars and molars are missing in the 

 lower jaw, the alveoles being already quite absorbed. In the upper jaw, the 

 first molar on the right side, and the first molar on the left are distorted 

 inwards, their anterior surfaces being adherent to the alveoles, which are 

 developed into a slight bony outgrowtli. Owing to a very remarkable distortion 

 of J the left molar, mastication was performed with its outer surface, which 

 was worn. 



Examining [the two" smaller caves, we obtained here some Moa and other 

 birds' bones lying close to tho surface of the sands, mixed uj) with ashes and 

 other signs of human occupation, so that it is evident that casual visitors 



