ENDNOTES.
[1] karakia] Philosophical and meditative hymns used as incantations.—Editor.
[2] pa] A pa is a fortified village, a stronghold.
[3] Kahikatea… my friend the Forest Tree] The Maoris regard the Kahikatea, or white pine, with much poetical feeling.—Editor.
[4] rangatira] Gentleman.
[5] the green lizard that will summon me to Reinga] The Maori believes that when the little green lizard looks at him meaningly it is a summons for him to depart for the spirit world within three days.—Editor.
[6] tiki] An ornament of jade fashioned in the image of Tiki, the first man, and worn round the neck.—Editor.
[7] white-winged taniwhas] The taniwha of the Maoris is a mythical monster of the deep. When they first saw the Pakehas’ ships they set them down as taniwhas.—Editor.
[8] kohutukutu] The wild fuchsia—the only deciduous native tree.—Editor.
[9] wharekura] An ancient Temple of Mysteries.—Editor.
[10] Zun the Terrible] Wanaki has a note here to the effect that, although the Maori’s pronunciation of this name was ‘Tunu,’ he prefers to preserve it in what he avers was its original form, viz., ‘Zun.’—Editor.
[11] matakite] Clairvoyant.
[12] tapu] Sacred.
[13] its spirit had fled beyond Wai Ora Tane] The bourne from which no traveller returns.—Editor.
[14] matakite] A seer—a clairvoyant.—Editor.
[15] mana] Power, prestige.—Editor.
[16] kumara] The kumara is a kind of sweet potato.
[17] Taranaki glowed… thundering Tongariro] According to ancient legend Tongariro and Taranaki, standing together, were rival volcanoes for the hand of a smaller mountain near by, named Pihanga. They fought, hurling great rocks at each other, until at last Taranaki withdrew to the seashore, where he now stands.
[18] Whaka ariki] A battle-cry.
[19] heitiki] A small image of polished jade, held very sacred.
[20] waiariki] A warm spring.
[21] taepo] Devil—the hobgoblin of the night.—Editor.
[22] weka] The Maori hen—a rare ventriloquist.
[23] Makutu] Bewitchment.
[24] crying ‘Utu! Utu!’] Utu is payment, compensation for injury.—Editor.
[25] marae] The open space.
[26] utu] Payment, compensation—an eye for an eye.
[27] Upokokohua!] “Boil your head.” All Maori curses relate to cooking or giving in cookery, to boiling or being boiled.—Editor.
[28] This letter, with its enclosure from Miriam Grey to Kahikatea, reached me just as the task of editing this work was finished.—Editor.