FOOTNOTES:
[20] As the natives had no written language, their numerous legends, fables, songs, and proverbs were transmitted by oral tradition.
[21] Islands in Cook's Strait.
[22] The Middle Island.
[23] Translated from the original by Mr. C.O. Davis.
[24] The canoes were named the Aotea, Arawa, Tainui, Mata-Atua, Takitumu, Tokomaru, and Kurahaupo. According to tradition, the kumara, sweet potato, the taro, the karaka tree, the rat, kiore, and the green parrot, kakariki, were brought in them from Hawaiki. The Aotea canoe was the first to reach the land, hence the Maori name Aotearoa was applied to New Zealand. The list of canoes, as here cited, was given to the author by Topia Turoa, head chief of the Whanganui tribes.
[25] When a noun in the Maori language has the prefix nga it refers to the plural number.
[26] The Maoris divide their genealogical history, both before and after their migration from Hawaiki, into various generations, the duration of each of which, however, appears to be uncertain, consequently the period of their arrival in New Zealand, even by their own traditions, cannot be fixed with any degree of accuracy.
[27] The word ariki means, literally, a chief priest, or deified man; the head of a tribe is an ariki by birth.
[28] Taipo, the name given to an evil spirit or devil.