<hw>Tohunga</hw>, <i>n</i>. Maori word for a wise man. "Perhaps from Maori verb <i>tohu</i>, to think." (Tregear's `Polynesian Dictionary.') <i>Tohu</i>, a sign or omen; hence <i>Tohunga</i>, a dealer in omens, an augur.
1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf and Amohia,' p. 102:
"But he whose grief was most sincere
The news of that unwonted death to hear,
Was Kangapo, the Tohunga—a Priest
And fell Magician famous far and near."
1873. `Appendix to Journals of House of Representatives,' G. 1, B. p. 9:
"I am a tohunga who can save the country if you will follow my advice."
1878. F. E. Maning, `Heke's War, told by an Old Chief,' `New Zealand Reader,' p. 153:
"Amongst these soldiers there was not one tohunga—not a man at all experienced in omens—or they must have had some warning that danger and defeat were near."
1893. `Otago Witness,' Dec. 21, p. 10, col. 2:
"She would consult a tohunga. The man she selected— one of the oldest and most sacred of the Maori priests, prophet, medicine-man, lawyer and judge."
<hw>Tolmer's Grass</hw>, <i>n</i>. a fibrous plant, <i>Lepidosperma gladiatum</i>, Labill., <i>N.O. Cyperaceae</i>, suitable for manufacture of paper. It is not a true grass, and is classed by Maiden (`Useful Native Plants,' p. 626) under fibres.