356 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES.. 
belongs. It is considered highly ornamental; and, 
in addition to the distinguishing lines or curves, 
the intricacy and variety of the pattern, thus per¬ 
manently fixed on the face, constitutes one prin¬ 
cipal distinction between the chiefs and common 
people, and it may be regarded as the crest, or coat 
of arms, of the New Zealand aristocracy. Tatau- 
ing 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. Quantities of oil and 
ochre adhered to my clothes, from close contact 
with the natives, which I found it impossible to 
prevent; but this was the only inconvenience I 
experienced from my visit. 
The warriors of New Zealand delight in swag¬ 
gering and bravado, for 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 unintel¬ 
ligible. After a few minutes he desisted, but 
when we walked away, he ran after us, and, as¬ 
suming the same attitude and gestures, accom¬ 
panied 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 in¬ 
quired, rather significantly, if I was not afraid. 
I told him I was unconscious of having offended 
him, and that, notwithstanding his actions, I did 
