568 



FEATURES — TATTOW ^^WAR-DANCE. 



Dec. 



eminently possesses. The expression of his features indicates 

 energy, quickness of apprehension, without much reflection; 

 and a high degree of daring. Ferocity is a striking trait in the 

 countenances of many among the older men, and it is increased 

 considerably by the savage style in which their faces are disfi- 

 gured, or, as they think, ornamented by lines cut in the skin 

 with a blunt-edged iron tool, and stained black. These lines 

 are certainly designed with as much taste, even elegance, as 

 could possibly be exerted in such disfiguring devices. The 

 expression which, it appears, is anxiously desired, is that of a 

 demon-warrior. All their old ideas seem to have had reference 

 to war. Well might the Spanish poef s description of the Arau- 

 canians have been applied to the New Zealanders in their for- 

 mer condition : — 



" Venus y Amoraqui no alcanzan parte, 



Solo domina el iracundo Marte !" 



The lines upon the face are not, however, arbitrary marks, 

 invented or increased at the caprice of individuals, or the fancy 

 of the operator who inflicts the torture ; they are heraldic orna- 

 ments, distinctions far more intelligible to the natives of New 

 Zealand than our own armorial bearings are to many of us, in 

 these unchivairic days. Young men have but few : slaves, born 

 in bondage, or taken young, have scarcely any marks ; but the 

 older men, especially the more distinguished chiefs, are so 

 covered with them that the natural expression of face is almost 

 hidden under an ornamented mask. One object of the tattow- 

 ing, is to prevent change of features after middle age. Some of 

 the women, whom the missionaries endeavoured to persuade not 

 to follow this practice, said, " Let us have a few lines on our 

 lips, that they may not shrivel when we are old." 



Every one has heard of, and many people have seen the 

 war-dance. What exaggerated distortions of human fea- 

 tures could be contrived more horrible than those they then 

 display ? What approach to demons could human beings make 

 nearer than that which is made by the Zealanders when infu- 

 riating j maddening themselves for battle by their dance of 

 death! 



