CoLENSO. — On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 33 



Some other of Paikea's ancestors, whom he had called on, and, also, 

 recollected m his distress, — as Houtaiki, Pakia, Hikitaiorea, Mataiahuru, 

 etc., — are yet more ancient than those mentioned in this list, and run, 

 also, in two other lines of descent ; those lines, however, are not here given. 



II. Of Pani. 

 The genealogical line of descent from Pani down to Ueniiku contains 38 

 generations ; and there are several other generations enumerated which 

 preceded Pani, besides others before the first of that line, which are 

 evidently wholly, or in part, mythological. 



III. Of Uenuku. 

 The line of descent fi-om Uenuku to the present time contains 25 to 28 

 generations ; i.e., 1 have several lines of descent of several families strictly 

 enumerated and all allowed, from Uenuku down to the present time, and 

 they thus vary ; which, however, can easily be accounted for. These lines 

 give also the principal wife of each chief ; and all of them descend from 

 Uenuku direct through Euatapu and his son Hau. 



In the line, also, from Houmea (above), there are 27 generations from 

 Paikea to the present time. 



" Quid prodest, Pontice, longo 

 Sanguine censeri, pictosque ostendere vultus 

 Majorum ? " — Juv. 



Art. II. — Contributions towards a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 

 By W. CoLENso, F.L.S. 



[continued*] 



\Read before the Haivke's Bay Philosophical Institute, 8th August, 1881.] 



" For, I, too, agree with Solon, that ' I would fain grow old learning many 



things.'" — Plato: Laches. 



On the Ideality of the Ancient New Zealandee. 

 Part IV. — On their Legends, Myths, quasi-religious Ceremonies and 

 Invocations, concerning the Kumaea Plant. 



In a paper which I was honoured with reading before you last year,f some 

 account was given of the Kumara plant flpomoia chrysorrhiza ) , its use, high 

 value, and manner of cultivation by the ancient Maoris, and of its several 

 distinct varieties known to them : so much for the real concerning it. 



* See " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Vol. XI., Art. V., p. 77; and Vol. XII., Art. VII., p. 108; 

 also, Vol. XIII., Art. III., p. 57. 



f " On the Vegetable Food of the ancient New Zealanders," " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 

 Vol. XIII., p. 3. 

 3 



