1919 .] 
Best.—Maori Fish-trap. 
37 
but the whole of the longitudinal pieces and cross-ties consist of such slim 
stems split right down the middle. So to split these slender stems, in such 
lengths, correctly in half, must have been a task demanding much care and 
time. In cases where a piece was not long enough a neat splice was made. 
The illustration shows the neat workmanship. 
The funnel-like entrance is not a separate fabric, but the ends of all 
longitudinal strips have been turned over the end frame hoop and bent 
downwards to form the ahum. All these very narrow longitudinal split 
stems are parallel, and only about ^ in. apart, while the cross-ties, or rows 
of containing lacing that hold them in position, are only J in. apart, the 
result being a fabric of the finest and closest mesh ever seen by the writer 
in such traps. 
The longitudinal strips, though parallel and very neatly spaced, are not 
laid parallel with the axis of the traps, but are arranged in a spiral or 
diagonal manner, so that each strip embraces about half the circumference 
of the cylindrical trap in its length of 3 ft. This feature is sometimes 
noted in eel-pots. The neatly laid twist of the cross-ties is formed by 
twisting together two of the diminutive split pieces, each twist enclosing- 
one of the longitudinal strips. The toughness, pliability, durability, and 
splitting qualities of the mangemange are truly remarkable. 
The hoop (ivhiti) at the mouth of the entrance-funnel is kept in position 
by a running cincture consisting of two of the slim stems, with which a 
turn is taken round the hoop and the contained edge of the trap at inter¬ 
vals of about \\ in. The other hoops are attached to the fabric by very 
small strips of the same material. The rear end is not provided with an 
aperture for taking out the fish, as in many traps of this form, so that 
such opening must have been at the side, at the part now broken away. 
So small is the mesh of this fabric that it was undoubtedly used for 
the purpose of taking a very small species of fish, and it was probably 
employed as a hinaki manga, a trap for taking the inanga, a small fresh¬ 
water fish. Eel-pots were made of stronger material and of very much 
coarser mesh. The writer has never seen a large hinaki tuna made of split 
mangemange. 
This fish-trap is remarkable for the neatness and precision of its manu¬ 
facture, its small mesh, and the fineness of material employed in construc¬ 
tion, the splitting of long, slender stems little over in. in thickness being 
a remarkable feat. No finer example of native workmanship has been 
observed, and we may view it as a whitebait-trap manufactured by some 
old artisan who took a laudable pride in doing precise, neat, and durable 
work. 
This trap, owing to its condition, does not lend itself to illustration, but 
the piece photographed shows its structure. 
Mr. T. F. Cheeseman remarks concerning the mangemange, “ The stalk 
or stipes of Lygodium articulatum has its centre occupied by a greenish 
pith-like substance, which is liable to disappear when old, thus making it 
hollow.” 
Karaka Kamura, a Paeroa native, informs me that this type of fish- 
trap is called pohea, and that in such traps the aperture through which the 
entrapped fish were extracted was at the forward end of the trap. In 
some cases the aperture was made in the main part of the trap, in the 
side thereof, and near the big end ; in others it was made in the side of 
the funnel-shaped entrance, which is called the akura , tohe , kuao, pu-arero, 
and toine in various district^ 
