SEASONS NGA TAKAPOU. 
363 
12. May. — Kai waka, Patu-tahi matariki ; the winter star Koero, 
the chief star of this month. 
13. Tahi ngungu ; grumbling month, little food, bad weather, 
smoky houses, watery eyes, constant quarrels. 
The Maori constellations are very interesting* ; they have 
not only names for all the principal stars, but also have 
formed them into constellations, the chief of these is Te 
Waka o Tamarereti, the canoe of Tamar erete. 
1. Te waka (canoe.) 
2. Ko Tautoru, te Rapa (stern.) 
8. Ko Matariki Te Ihu, or prow. 
4. Te Toke o te waka, mast. 
5. Te oe, paddle. 
6. The Tata, the baler. 
7. Te Taura, the cable, [cross. 
8. Te Punga, anchor, southern 
9. Te Ra o Tainui Waka witi — l 8 
sail. 
This beautiful constellation takes in Tautoru, the four stars 
of orion’s belt, which form the stern, and matariki, which 
forms the prow, whilst the mast is te ra o tainui, and the sail 
te wakawhiti. The taura, or cable, are formed by the two 
indicators, and the punga, anchor, is the southern cross, or 
happy omen for the Maori canoe, that it has for its anchor 
the cross, which will be its stay in every storm, and save it 
from shipwreck. The baler and paddle I suppose are stowed 
away inside the canoe. 
II . — Te Tulce o Maui, the elbow of Maui, orion's belt. 
III. — Te whare o te Wliiu, the house of Te Whiu and his 
two slaves. The star scorpio. 
IV. — Te Paejoae o Waitiri. 1. Te pou tuatahi, Ko 
Wakamaro te Rangi. 2. Te poutuarua. Mere- 
mere. 
Y . — Te wakopa o te Rangi. The garment of Maru, 
which he let fall as he ascended up into heaven. 
