"Of these the greenstone meri was the most esteemed. It weighs six pounds, is thirteen inches long, and in shape resembles a soda-water bottle flattened. In its handle is a hole for a loop of flax, which is twisted round the wrist. Meris are carried occasionally in the girdle, like Malay knives. In conflicts the left hand grasped the enemy's hair, and one blow from the meri on the head produced death."
188]. J. Bonwick, `Romance of Wool Trade,' p. 229:
"A land of musket and meri-armed warriors, unprovided with a meat supply, even of kangaroo."
1889. Jessie Mackay, `The Spirit of the Rangatira,' p. 16:
"He brandished his greenstone mere high,
And shouted a Maori battle-cry."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. iii. p. 33:
"`No, no, my peg; I thrust it in with this meri,' yells Maori Jack, brandishing his war-club."
<hw>Merinoes, Pure</hw>, <i>n</i>. a term often used, especially in New South Wales, for the `very first families,' as the pure merino is the most valuable sheep.
1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 116:
"Next we have the <i>legitimates</i> . . . such as have <i>legal</i> reasons for visiting this colony; and the <i>illegitimates</i>, or such as are free from that stigma. The <i>pure merinos</i> are a variety of the latter species, who pride themselves on being of the purest blood in the colony."