CoLENSO. — On the Maori Baces of Neio Zealand. -407 



(20.) That it is a higlily interesting fact, and one that is increasing in 

 importance every day, that the large majority o£ animals and plants of the 

 whole island region inhabited by this great race, while more or less allied in 

 themselves, are peculiar to this region. 



(21.) That in New Zealand, and in several other islands of the Pacific, 

 there are species of European, African, and American plants identical with 

 the plants of those countries, but which have not been taken to the Pacific 

 islands by the agency of man. 



(22.) That there are living remnants of an apparently earlier creation, 

 both animal and vegetable, in the Pacific isles and seas. 



(23.) That the Polynesian race of man may be a fixed variety of the 

 genus homo. 



(24.) That there seems to be just the same kind of difliculty attending 

 this question as attends that of the geographical distribution of animals and 

 plants among the Polynesian islands. 



(25.) That the Polynesian variety (stirps) of the genus homo may be an 

 earlier one than the Caucasian or European ; and from its creation peculiar 

 to its own (now) insular region. 



(26.) That it is believed, that while the fair Polynesian race everywhere 

 exhibits signs of great antiquity, it also bears unequivocal symptoms of great 

 and rapid decadence, or universal deterioration and decline. 



(27.) That the origin of the Polynesian race is a problem that has yet to 

 be solved ; and it is believed (having firm faith in the vocation of man, and 

 his power to fulfil it) that it will be solved. 



y. — MODEBN. 



54. This period, comprising nearly a century, from the discovery of New 

 Zealand by Cook to the present, is a most eventful one in the history of 

 the New Zealanders. A large and instructive volume might be written of 

 the principal acts and actors, men and things, of this period. Time, how- 

 ever, will only allow of a very brief mention in this essay of the most promi- 

 nent of them. It was during this century that four European quadrupeds 

 were introduced into New Zealand — the pig, the dog, the cat, and the rat. 

 These have each done its share in the work of effecting a great change in the 

 country. Had foreigners ceased to visit New Zealand after the introduc- 

 tion of those animals, the country would no longer have been the same it 

 once was to its Maori inhabitants. And it is a question difficult to answer, 

 whether their introduction alone, followed by such a circumstance, would 

 have been a benefit or sin injury. These four animals, especially the two 

 smaller ones, destroyed the choice and numerous ones of the Maori — the 

 edible rat, the kiwi, the quail, and the ground parrot, and the birds gene- 



