CoLENSo. — On a better Knoivledc/e of the Maori Race. 141 



The mountain's summit can be climbed by man ; the waves of the 



ocean can be topped by a canoe ; the human mount cannot be 



scaled by man. 



Meaning: If he had sought shelter on the mountain, or at sea, we 



could have followed him ; but being sheltered by a great chief, we cannot 



follow him there. 



N.B. — Note the play on the three mounts — joukepuke ; which are wholly 

 lost in translation. 



Xin. Miscellaneous. 



183. I motu mai i ivhea ? te riviu a te moana. 



Whence was the drifting sea-weed torn? 

 Sometimes used of a stranger. 



184. He rimu jjae 7ioa ! 



A sea-weed driven about ! 

 Used by a wanderer concerning himself. I have known this saying used 

 in a very melancholy way by a young man, a lover, when discarded by his 

 love, and he travelhng from place to place to forget his grief. It struck me 

 as being very poetical. 



185. I taia to moko ki te aha '? 



To what purpose was your face tattooed ? 

 A cutting sarcasm to a finely tattooed man, when he acts cowai'dly or 

 meanly. As only nobles and chiefs were tattooed. 



186. Kapaa ianei he matua whare e himja ana, ka hangaa ano, kua oti ; ana ko 

 te marama kua ngaro, kua ara ano. 



If indeed your father had fallen like a house, then he could be raised 

 again and finished anew ; or if he were as the moon and died, 

 then he would return again. 

 This saying was too often used by the watchers around a dead chief to 

 his children, to keep up their incessant Availing for their father. 



187. Ka tata ki a koe nga taru o Tura ! 



The weeds of Tm-a are near thee ! 

 Meaning : Thou art getting grey-haired. Tura was a grey-headed man 

 of old ; his story is a highly curious one. 



188. Ka ruha te kupenga, ka pae kei te akau. 



When the fishing-net gets old, it is di'ifted on the shore. 

 Said by an old woman to her husband who neglects her. 

 Another of similar meaning : — 



189. He kaha ano, ka motimiotu ! 



A rope indeed, but become old and broken up ! 

 Meaning'. My beauty and strength are gone, I can no longer serve you, 

 You love a younger wife, 



