CHAPTER I. 
The Maoris. 
Two races on the Islands of the Pacific Ocean. — Melanese and Malay-Poly nesian race. — 
Difference between Micronesiaus and Polynesians proper. — The Maoris true Polynesians. 
Traditions and Mythology. — The Ika a Maui. — The legend of the migration from Hawaiki 
not historical, but mythical. — The Maui-myths are myths of the Sun. — South Island popul- 
ated from North Island. — The Macroes and Ngatimamoes not aborigines but wild Maoris. — 
The Maoris at the time of the discovery of New Zealand. — Cannibalism. — Origin of can- 
nibalism in New Zealand. — The Maoris of the present day. — Injurious influences of Euro- 
pean civilization and colonization upon the natives. — The Maoris are dying out. — Census 
of 1858. — Appendix, the story of Te Uira, chief of the Ngatimamoes. 
Two human races differing widely in physical and mental qua- 
lities, in language, manners and customs, inhabit the islands scat- 
tered oyer the Pacific Ocean. One race of very dark complexion, 
almost black, of ungainly make, of an extremely low grade of 
mental faculties, savage and for the most part incapable of civili- 
zation, occupies the southwestern part, comprising New Guinea, New 
Ireland, Louisiade, Solomon Islands, Nitendy, the New Hebrides, 
New Caledonia with the Loyalty Islands and the Archipelago of the 
Fejee Islands. They are generally designated as Melanesians or 
Papuas. Their tribes are nearest akin to the aborigines of Australia 
and Tasmania, and like these seem to be the remnants of a very 
ancient race possibly the oldest branch of the human family, once 
occupying larger territories, but for a long time past, and up to 
