428 Geology of 



conceptions, than the Maoris possess. In Vol. X. of the " Transactions 

 of the 2sew Zealand Institute." I hare offered a fac-simile and 

 description of those found in a shallow care in the TTeka Pass ranges. 

 From their partial state of preservation, notwithstanding tkev have 

 been so well sheltered from atmospheric influences, they bear the stamp 

 of considerable age upon them. This conclusion is strengthened by 

 the fact, that a series of newer paintings and of a different character, 

 have at various periods been executed over them. The traditions of the 

 Maoris — who. like everything they cannot understand — ascribe them 

 to the Xgapuhi, a somewhat mythical people. However, the strongest 

 proof of their being foreign to native handicraft, is the character of 

 these paintings, consisting as they do of primitive representations of 

 serpents, lizards, whales, quadrupeds, many of them in monstrous forms, 

 together with drawings of other objects, representing probably weapons, 

 implements or clothing, all of which the Maoris do not possess, nor do 

 they know their use. But the most important portion of these drawings 

 for the elucidation of their meaning, are certain letters or symbolic 

 signs. Being aware that a bronze bell with an ancient Tamil inscription, 

 had been found in the Northern Island, now in the possession of the 

 Rev. "William Colenso in Napier, I compared these signs with the 

 letters on the bell, as published with Mr. J. T. Thomson's paper, — 

 " Ethnographical Considerations of the ' Whence the Maori,' " in the 

 " Transactions of the Xew Zealand Institute," Vol. IT., and found 

 that there was a strong resemblance ; I came therefore to the conclusion 

 that these drawings had been made by some people coming from, or 

 having had some intercourse with, Indian or Malayan countries. This 

 opinion was strengthened by an examination of the drawings by the 

 lie v. B. Pargiter, who living for many years in Ceylon, and thoroughly 

 conversant with the Tamil and other Oriental languages, came to the 

 conclusion that although none of the figures have the exact form of 

 any single Tamil character, there is nevertheless a great resemblance. 

 Mr. Pargiter makes however another important suggestion, that some 

 of these so-called inscriptions may be the signatures of the artist, as 

 according to his experience, the Tamil natives have a peculiar way of 

 combining two or more letters to one character, difficult to decipher 

 except by the writer and those best acquainted with him. Since that 

 account was published, the rock paintings in question have been 

 examined by Mr. A. Mackenzie Cameron, M.S.B.A., Interpreter of" 

 Oriental languages to the Government of Xew South Wales, in Sydney, 

 who has made early alphabets and symbols his special studies. Mr. 

 Cameron after the closest investigation into the subject, has come to* 



