POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
31 
purpose of the particular stripe or colour of the High¬ 
lander’s plaid^ marks the clan or tribe to which he 
belongs. It is considered highly ornamental, and, in 
addition to the distinguishing lines or curves, the intri¬ 
cacy and variety of the pattern, thus permanently fixed on 
the face, constitutes one principal distinction between 
the chiefs and common people, and may be regarded as 
the crest, or coat of arms, of the New Zealand aristocracy. 
Tatauing is said to be also employed as a means of 
enabling them to distinguish their enemies in battle. 
In the present instance, its effect on the countenance, 
where its marks are more thickly implanted than in 
any other part of the body, was greatly augmented by 
a preparation of red ochre and oil, which had been 
liberally applied to the cheeks and the forehead. Quan¬ 
tities of oil and ochre adhered to my clothes, from 
close contact with the natives, which I found it impossi¬ 
ble to prevent; but this was the only inconvenience I 
experienced from my visit. 
The warriors of New Zealand delight in swaggering 
and bravado, and while my companion was talking with 
some of Korokoro’s party, one of them came up to me, 
and several times brandished his patupatu over my head, 
as if intending to strike, accompanying the action with the 
fiercest expressions of countenance, and the utterance of 
words exceedingly harsh, though to me unintelligible. 
After a few minutes he desisted, but when we walked 
away, he ran after us, and, assuming the same attitude and 
gestures, accompanied us till we reached another circle, 
where he continued for a short time these exhibitions of 
his skill in terrifying, &c. When he ceased, he inquired, 
rather significantly, if I was not afraid. I told him 
I was unconscious of having offended him, and that. 
