390 NEW ZEALAND. 



some resemblance to a human figure, sitting with crossed legs. This 

 stone is procured from the southern island, near the borders of a small 

 lake, which receives its name from the stone, being called Tewai 

 Pounamu or the Green-stone Water. From the name of this stone, 

 Cook, by mistake, gave the name of Tavy Poenammoo to the southern 

 island. It is also supposed that Captain D'Urville's name of Ika-na- 

 maw (meaning, the fish out of Mawi), given by him to the northern 

 islands, may also be the name of some place on the northern side of 

 Cook's Straits. Those who are acquainted with the natives and their 

 language say, that they have no native name for either of the islands, 

 or any part of the country, and have adopted into their language the 

 names given by the whites, with modifications to suit their tongue. 



It was a long time before Pomare would consent to his wife parting 

 with the heitiki which she wore, and that belonging to himself (his 

 atua) he would not allow us to take off his neck, even to look at. Our 

 consul interpreted for me a singular story that the southern natives 

 had invented, relative to these stones : " That they were found in a 

 large fish, somewhat resembling a shark, which they were obliged to 

 capture and kill for the purpose of obtaining them. When first taken 

 from the stomach of the fish, the stone is soft, but from exposure 

 becomes hard, and must be wrought in its soft state." This story was 

 related by Pomare. The smaller stones were about three inches in 

 length, and the larger ones about five inches. 



Pomare is a fine-looking man, and is handsomely tattooed. He is 

 six feet in height, and well formed, with the exception of his feet and 

 legs. His dress was any thing but becoming: a blanket was tied 

 about his neck, and hung ungracefully about his person, leaving his 

 right arm free ; beneath this he wore a shirt and loose pair of drawers, 

 descending to his knees ; the rest of his person and his feet were bare. 

 In his hand he usually carries a short cloak of dogskin, called topuni, 

 shupuni, or patutu. These short cloaks are, in shape, not unlike those 

 of the knights in ancient times ; they are about three feet long, being 

 formed of common cloth, mat, or sewed dogskin, dressed with the hair 

 on. Pomare's dress was surmounted by a blue naval cap, with a 

 gold-lace band. The tattooing may give his features somewhat of a 

 fierce aspect, and serve to disguise the expression, yet I cannot but 

 believe that his true feelings are developed in it. His face indicates 

 any thing but a kingly character. Perhaps his reputation for busi- 

 ness may have something to do with the impression his physiognomy 

 produced. He told me he had two wives, but it is generally believed 

 that thirty would be nearer the truth. The favourite one usually 

 accompanies him; sh^ is highly spoken of for her good sense, and 



