8 6 Transactions , — Miscellaneous . 



the tuberous root, which draws off for its support that portion of the sap 

 which in other varieties of the same species affords nutriment to the blos- 

 soms and seeds, and experiment soon satisfied me that my conjectures were 

 perfectly well founded. I took several methods of placing the plants to 

 grow in such a situation as enabled me readily to prevent the formation of 

 the tuberous roots, but the following appeared the best. Having fixed 

 strong stakes in the ground I raised the mould in a heap round the bases of 

 them, and in contact with the stakes : on their south sides I planted the 

 potatoes from which I wished to obtain seeds. When the young plants were 

 about four inches high, they were secured to the stakes with shreds and 

 nails, and the mould was then washed away by a strong current of water 

 from the bases of their stems, so that the fibrous roots only of the plants 

 entered into the soil. The fibrous roots of this plant are perfectly distinct 

 organs from the runners which give existence, and subsequently convey 

 nutriment, to the tuberous roots ; and as the runners spring from the 

 stems only of the plants, which are, in the mode of culture I have de- 

 scribed, placed wholly out of the soil, the formation of tuberous roots is 

 easily prevented ; and whenever this is done numerous blossoms will soon 

 appear, and almost every blossom will afford fruit and seed." 



Appendix 0- 

 A List of the different Varieties of Taro formerly cultivated by the Maoris. 

 1. The varieties grown and used in the North, namely — Bay of Islands 

 Hokianga, and Kaitaia Districts. 

 The best kinds were the three following : 



^^ ' [ Varieties having a pleasing scent. 



*2. Turitaka. > 



3. Potango, a very superior sort, greatly prized. 



Those three were eaten as popoa — sacred food used by the priests, 

 {tolmngas) on the death of chiefs ; and also on the Iriiringa — the ceremoni- 

 ally naming of a newly-born chief's child ; pigeons were eaten with them 

 as a relish. 



4. Aivanga, a very abundant grower and therefore prized, 



*5. Wairuaarangi, a sweet, grateful kind, having a flesh of a 

 peculiar pink tinge. 

 6. Ngongoro, a very large and prized sort. 

 Those three were used for noble or welcome visitors ; one of this last 

 variety, ngongoro, was said to have been sufficient for a man, but if a very 

 great eater he might be able to manage two, hence, perhaps, its name, ngo- 

 ngoro — wonderful ! from Onomatopaeia, that being the name of the strong 

 nasal sound usually emitted on expressing great astonishment at anything. 



