296 
WAKATAUKI, OR PROVERBS. 
The cray fish has its fundament in its head. — Alluding to its 
color, which is red : though he is smeared with ochre like 
a gentleman, his head is only filled with filthiness. 
28. He kiore pukurua. 
The rat has a double stomach. — A saying for a greedy fellow 
who is never satisfied. 
29. He pounamu kakano rua. 
A green stone of two colors, spotted or changeable as a cha- 
meleon, a highly-prized kind of nephrite or jade. 
80. Pihi kau ake te wakaaro pai, hauhake tonu iho. 
The good thought springs up as grass, but it is immediately 
cut down. 
81. Ka tuhoa te ra, ka warara, ka hinga. 
The sun rises to its zenith, and then declines. — This is applied 
to human life. 
82. Tena te kawenga, a te ringa kokoparahia. 
The man who does not permit the weed kokoparahia, to cover 
his farm, is also strong enough to overcome his enemies. 
83. Mokonahatia te waha o te kuri nei ki te mokonaha, kei haere 
kei tahae. 
The dog’s mouth is muzzled, lest it should steal. 
34. Mata rere puku, rite tonu ki te makutu, mata rakau, e taea te 
karo. 
The blow from a bullet like a curse strikes unseen, and cannot 
be warded off as that of a wooden weapon. 
35. Ka mate ware tahi, ka ora ware rua. 
Signifies he has two strings to his bow. — A person who pos- 
sesses several cultivations ‘is safe, though one should fail, 
the others will support him. 
36. Ko te kura i huna ki roto ki te toto. 
A saying for the pigeon, when it is skinned and the bones taken 
out ; previously to its being put into the toto, or basket, the 
flesh is quite white. — This is applied to a handsome man, 
whether for the eye or mouth is rather doubtful. 
37. I kinitia i roto i te matikuku pango. 
It was pinched within the end of the finger nail. — A saying for 
a man who has had a very narrow escape. 
38. Ka ki te piro o nga manu, o nga tangata ka kata. 
When the stomach is full, the birds sing, the men laugh. 
39. He kuku ki te kainga, he kaka ki te haere. 
