. CoLENSO. — On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 39 



a widow of rank (one of those whose husbands were killed in those fightings 

 before related), who had by her prudence, economy, and forethought 

 secured the kumara ; or it may indicate that the kumara, the child so saved 

 by her, was itself an orphan there ; and, as is not unfrequently the case, the 

 name for it was given to, or taken by, its preserver, patroness, or mother. 

 I incline to this latter conjecture. (See, below, The Invocation to Pani, 

 and notes there.) 



6. Patatai, — whether this was a man, or a bird bearing that name, I 

 cannot definitely say; for the word ^^moho'" means, — (1) the various birds 

 of the Eail family (of which there were several species), — generically, or as 

 a natural class, — of which one species also bears the name of patatai, and 

 of moho-patatai ; — (2) a wood- or bush-man ; a man, a remnant, a survivor 

 of some unfortunate tribe or family, living far away from men, through fear, 

 solitarily in the " bush." Both man and bu'd are now alike extinct. I am, 

 however, inclined to believe that a man was intended, who, probably, 

 obtained that name from his so solitarily acting, concealed, rail-like, among 

 the rank untrodden vegetation on the margin of the stream. 



7. Mauiwharekino, — Pani's husband, Maui-(of-the)-evil-house. There 

 were several heroes of old named Maui ; this one, however, is distinct from 

 the great hero, who bound the Sun, and who fished up the North Island, 

 etc., etc.* 



8. Tumatauenga's destroying the kumara may here indicate, — (1) that 

 man, at first, did not know how to cultivate and to preserve that valuable 

 root, through ignorance;! and (2) that fierce fighting man was an enemy to 

 the quiet cultivator, and cared nothing for the arts of peace, — showing 

 plainly, in other words, — " Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction 

 and misery are in theii- paths ; and the way of peace have they not known." 



(2.) 

 Some of the more prevaleyit Beliefs of the Maoris coneerniny the Introduction 

 of the Kumara into New Zealand. 

 These vary considerably in detail with almost every great tribe, or 

 people, of New Zealand, — as to the time when, the persons by whom, the 

 name of the "canoe" (ivaka), and the name of the sort, or kind, of 

 kumara brought ; also, its having been purposely sought or fetched from 



* In another ancient legend of Pani (principally found in the more northern parts of 

 New Zealand), it is stated that Tiki was Pani's husband. Tiki, also, being the first man, 

 or progenitor, or precursor of man. In Dieff., Vol. II., pp. 47, 116, this is noticed, 

 Dieffenbach obtained this information at Kaitaia Mission Station. 



t See a similar figurative indication in the ancient legend respecting the beginnings 

 pf the fern-root, " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Vol, XIII., p. 24, first thi-ee hues, 



