BURIAL. MUSIC. CHARACTER. 369 



in a contracted posture, or exposed for a while on small 

 square platforms ; when the flesh had decayed away, the 

 bones were washed, and finally deposited in a small covered 

 box, which was generally elevated on a column in or near 

 the village.* In some districts, however, they were usually 

 thrown into the sea, except indeed those that were killed in 

 battle. These were generally eaten by their enemies. None 

 of the objects used by the dead during his last illness were 

 ever employed again ; f they were generally broken or buried 

 with the deceased. In one case a moa's egg has been found 

 in the hands of a dead Maori, who was buried as usual in a 

 sitting posture. The egg was perfect, J and may have been 

 intended to serve as food for the dead. 



Their principal musical instrument was the flute, of which 

 they had three or four varieties. D'Urville also observed 

 among them a kind of lyre, with three or four strings. They 

 used large shells, too, as a kind of trumpet. They were very 

 fond of singing, of poetry, and of dance&. The latter were 

 of two kinds, warlike and amorous. 



, In character the New Zealanders were proud, jealous, 

 irritable, cruel, and implacable ; but at the same time sen- 

 sible, generous, sincere, hospitable, and affectionate. Like 

 other Polynesians, the Maories were much given to in- 

 fanticide. || The girls before marriage were allowed great 

 freedom. When once married, however, the women were 

 faithful and affectionate to their husbands, by whom, on the 

 other hand, they were generally treated with both kindness 

 and respect. On the whole, it must be admitted that the 

 position of the women among the New Zealanders was far 

 from unsatisfactory. The Maories were perpetually at war 

 during life, and hoped to continue so after death. Heaven 



* Dieffenbach; I.e. p. 63 ; Fitzroy, I.e. p. 579. f D'Urville, vol. ii., p. 536. 

 J Zoologist, February, 1865, p. 9454. I.e. vol. ii., p. 501. 



|| Dieffenbach, I.e. p. 16. 



24 



