CoLENSO. — On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 63 



the sun shining, — the moon at the full,— the rainbow giving light, — 

 the bright clouds, — the flowers, — the branches of trees, — the time of 

 summer, etc. 



In the volume of Maori poetry printed and published several years ago 

 by Sir Greorge Grey, while Governor here, there are collected between 500 

 and 600 songs and other poetical pieces ; to which, I suppose, I could add 

 nearly an equal number, — or (say) about 1,000 in all ; and there are, or 

 were, many more, unknown to or uncollected by Europeans. Now, all 

 these were only retained by the old Maoris in memory, and from memory 

 dictated to others, or (in a few instances) written down by themselves. Here, 

 of course, as in the case with their proverbs, there could not be much room 

 for variation ; and the oldest and best songs, etc., are much the same, 

 whether rehearsed among the northern or the southern tribes. This, 

 together w-itli the collateral fact of their many ancient myths and legends 

 and fables, and their numerous semi-religious and ceremonial chaunts and 

 recitations, also agreeing in the main, as well as their long ancestral 

 genealogies, is a most wonderful instance of the prodigious memory of 

 uncultivated unlettered man ! and certainly to the philosophic mind 

 must ever speak strongly in favour of the ancient Maori. This high 

 faculty, together with those of sight and hearing, which they also eminently 

 possessed, always, when prominently exhibited (as I have known striking 

 instances of) struck me with astonishment.* 



Then* poetry (as far as it is known under the various names of ivaiata, 

 tangi, haka, ngeri, umere, tau, keka, pana, i^eruperu, apakura, oriori, to, tuki, 

 tvhakaaraara, tukeka, pihe, karakia, niata, hari, ichakamohio, ivhakatapatajm, 

 whakaoriori, kawa, etc., etc.) may be conveniently and briefly classified as 

 follows: — (1) lyrical: (2) historical and legendary: (3) ceremonial, or 

 semi-religious. 1. Their lyrical poetry contains martial, vengefid, taunting, 

 satirical, melancholy, wailing, dirge-like, love, humourous, nm'sery, and 

 inciting songs. 2. Then- historical and legendary — though, with them, it 

 was all alike historical, all equally believed ! — included much of the prowess 

 and doings of their forefathers ; which they also recited in their traditions 



* That the Maoris possessed, in an eminent degree, the faculties of both distant and 

 quick sight and hearing has long been known ; these natural qualities being generally 

 highly improved and developed among all savage and uncivilized nations. I have often 

 proved their iine and clear sight, in getting them to point out to me the position of 

 Jupiter's satellites by their unaided vision, while I used my telescope. From captains of 

 ships I have often heard of the very great superiority of the Maori seaman in this 

 respect, — in discerning ships, whales, icebergs, etc., at a long distance. Then their fine 

 discrimination of the various shades and hues of colours, particularly of blacks, browns, 

 reds, greens, etc., was truly wonderful. On this siibject and its relatives I hope to write 

 a paper. 



