﻿74 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



overwhelming evidence to the contrary, namely that the forefathers of the 

 Maoris not only have neither hunted nor exterminated the Moa, but that they 

 knew nothing about it. 



The main authority quoted for the former assertion, that the Dinornis 

 species are not long extinct, are the writings of Dr. Mantell, the illustrious 

 geologist, who, in his varioiis works, when speaking of the siibject under review, 

 gives his son's (the Hon. W. Mantell's) statements. Thus in "Petrifactions 

 and their Teachings," London, 1851, p. 93, the following passage occurs : — 

 '' The Maoris, or natives, were acquainted with the occurrence of such bones 

 long ere this country was visited by Europeans : and traditions were rife 

 amongst them that a race of gigantic birds formerlr existed in great numbers, 

 and served as food to their remote ancestors. They also believed that some of 

 the largest species had been seen alive within the memory of man, and that 

 individuals were still existing in the xinfrequented and inaccessible parts of 

 the country. They called the bird Moa, and stated that its head and tail were 

 adorned with plumes of magnificent feathers, which were worn and much 

 prized by their ancient chiefs as ornaments of distinction. The bones were 

 sought for with avidity, and were used in the manufacture of lures for fish- 

 hooks and other implements." 



Again, Dr. Thompson, surgeon, 58th Regiment, in a letter to Dr. A. 

 Smith, as quoted by Dr. Mantell, when writing of the discovery of several 

 caves containing moa bones, speaks of the same subject, page 104 of the same 

 work: — "During the month of September, 1849, Servantes, the interpreter 

 to the General here, was told by a native that he had discovered a cave in 

 which were many bones of Moas. I accompanied him in search of this place, 

 and was rewarded by getting many curious specimens and several skulls with 

 mandibles. The beak very much resembles that of the ostrich or emu. This 

 cave is on the west side of the North Island, in the limestone formation which 

 extends along the coast. The country around is wild, and there are many 

 similar caves, which, we were told, also contained bones. The popular opinion 

 is, that the country has been set on fire by an eruption of Tongariro, and that 

 all the Moas fled to the caves for refuge, and there perished. From ti-aditions 

 and other circumstances it is supposed that the present natives of New Zealand 

 came to these islands not more than 600 years ago. However this may be, 

 that the Moa was alive when the first settlers came, is evident from the name 

 of this bird being mixed up with their songs and stories. One of the bones I 

 obtained bore marks of having been cu.t or choj^ped, perhaps to get at the 

 marrow." 



It is evident that the statements of such observant scientific men as Messrs. 

 Mantell and Thompson deserve all attention and credence, the more so as both 

 had such favourable opportunities to collect native traditions, and consequently 



