150 
MOKO, OK TATTOO. 
limbs more supple, and the skin less sensible to cold, or to the 
bites of the mosquito. 
Wigs were not worn, although a bald head (he fakir a) was 
considered a reproach. I once recollect seeing the head chief 
of Taupo with an English wig, made of a light brown colored 
hair; this he wore over his own raven locks, which descended 
on every side full half a foot below the artificial covering, and 
gave him a most extraordinary appearance, which was height¬ 
ened by his total unconsciousness of the ludicrous figure he 
was making. 
Ear ornaments are, of course, in general use, as they are 
about the last remnants of heathenism which will be given up 
by the fair sex. In New Zealand they are worn by both 
sexes, and are of great variety. Those of green stone are the 
most highly prized; sharks’ teeth, if of large size, are, if 
possible, still more thought of. But the natives are not very 
particular ; the ring of a musket, a little roll made of a leather 
strap, or even of paper, are frequently to be seen in the ears 
of the mOst distinguished individuals. Many persons wear 
the skins of the Huia or Tui birds stuck in their ears. The neck 
ornament is generally the green stone, which is wrought into 
the form of a human figure, and called hei tiki. The hair of 
a chief’s head is tied up in a knot, with one or more feathers 
stuck in it, which are very ornamental; the favorite feathers 
are those of the Huia, which are of a velvety black, tipped 
with a snowy white. 
But the grand ornament of all was the moko or tattoo; this 
was of general use. All ranks were thus ornamented; a 
papatea, or plain face, was a term of reproach. Some were 
more fully tattooed than others, but all were more or less so. 
The grand chiefs had their faces and thighs entirely covered 
with this ornamental renting of the skin. The ladies had their 
lips and chins operated upon, with a little curl at the corner 
of the eye. Frequently their persons also were covered with 
small strokes of tattooing; these might be called beauty 
patches, such as the ladies used to wear on the face made of 
a bit of court plaster, which were once thought ornamental. 
To set off the moko to advantage, it was necessary to give up 
