THE MALAY RACE. 



81 



that they were alienating their lands absolutely ; nor, if I am rightly 

 informed, would the European view of such transactions, be admitted 

 among other Polynesians. 



Tattooing is incised, and is a much more painful operation than 

 in the rest of Polynesia. The quantity of markings about the face, 

 seemed to be very much in proportion to the rank of the individual ; 

 each chief, however, having some variation in the pattern. It was 

 said, that " in signing a document, the chiefs trace this pattern on the 

 paper ; such a signature being readily recognised by all the natives 

 who have ever seen the individual." This was the nearest approach 

 to writing, that I found among the Polynesians; and the practice ap- 

 peared to be quite unknown elsewhere. 



Instances of the various effect of the taboo, were noted. At one 

 village, an aged man had " tabooed himself; and in consequence, he 

 could not quit the spot of ground he had selected." At another vil- 

 lage, we found a large hog tabooed ; it having been given to an aged 

 female. On kindling a fire, it was taboo for one of our guides to light 

 his pipe by it; and he requested us to strike a fresh light for him. 

 A deserted camp was tabooed ; as it was a station to which inva- 

 lid natives sometimes resorted. And lastly, we were told, that on the 

 occasion of some difficulty with the Europeans, Pomare, as an act of 

 vengeance, "tabooed the fish in the Bay." 



The productions of New Zealand have all received native names, 

 and they appeared to be universally known, as in Tropical Poly- 

 nesia. According to Nicholas, the New Zealanders " have divided 

 the stars into constellations, and they make inquiries when certain 

 stars will make their appearance." The custom of touching noses, 

 and never the lips, they have in common with the other Polynesians 

 and the Feejeeans. 



The New Zealand manufactures show skill at least equalling that 

 of their Tropical brethren; although in most instances it has been ne- 

 cessary to employ different materials. The manufacture of tapa is un- 

 known; and indeed, we saw no genuine Urticaceous plants. Woven 

 mantles of the New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax), are substituted 

 by the men; while the women wear a broad cincture, somewhat like 

 a rug. The handle of the sword-like clubs usually has a tuft of hair, 

 the use of which might not readily be divined : it serves in travelling, 

 to protect the hand against the roughness of the fern. 



On the route to Hokianga, lived a chief of bad character, who was 

 in the practice of laying European travellers under contribution. I 



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