Note 2, Page 54.

“Wild superstition, as with reptile coil
Have in the bonds of mystery wound their tale!
The which t’ unravel, who will take the pains?
So much ’tis wrapped ’mid degredation’s stench!”

There is scarcely a tribe or nation on earth but has not a few superstitions peculiar to itself, some of which may be traceable to some cause or event in its past history: but those connected with the Maori race are in many respects so devoid of common attraction that they are not worthy of being enquired into as regards their origin, however much their foolishness may provoke a smile. Some superstitions connected with their taboo (tapu) system are not only painful, but, in fact, are unendurable in regard to impositions laid upon the unfortunate victim brought under its power, so that to be tabooed is dreaded as a severe punishment, while at the same time the superstition is ridiculous enough. For instance, one may be so under the influence of the taboo, that though he were hungry and victuals were within his reach, yet the person dare not help himself or even touch them, unless some one comes to feed him; and to get rid of such a state it requires no small amount of painstaking ceremony, performed under the direction of some prophet or priest. Such like instances I have heard related by the lecturer referred to above. In a book called “The Mahoe Leaves” may be found an account of a ceremony performed, as connected with one of the phases of the tapu superstition, as calculated to remove some sickness which had been prevalent at the pa where the author of the above-named book had been staying. “Some days,” says the author, “after receiving news of the arrival of the poropiti, (prophet) I was out near the pa, when I suddenly came upon a group of individuals promenading in a circle, apparently engaged in the search for something, and arranged so that if the first man missed it, the next, being close to his heels, might have a chance of finding it. It was Beelzebub and Malachi (two principal men in the group) and a number of people at work lizard hunting. ∗ ∗ ∗ The circular promenade continued for some time, when suddenly they came to a dead stop, and Beelzebub pounced like a tom cat at something in the fern! This was lizard number one. The procession continued gradually contracting the limits of the circle, and by the time they had finished Beelzebub had caught two more. All this time the greatest solemnity was observed. The poropiti then kindled a fire, and proceeded with the greatest coolness to roast these wretched reptiles—repeating, in a low mourning tone, an incantation, as the poor lizards slowly frizzled. The lizards being nearly calcined the poropiti shouted something, and the whole crowd at once covered their faces and dropped into the attitude of prayer. I was subsequently given to understand that at this identical juncture the souls of the departed vacated the bodies of the lizards (as well they might). Whether they became stars in the firmament or entered the bodies of other lizards I did not enquire. Beelzebub swore hard and fast that he ‘saw them go,’ so I suppose they did. Anyhow the ‘tapu’ was gone, and no one going over that spot could catch lumbago, colic, or any other disease. So far the arrangement was satisfactory.”—For other superstitions regarding the taboo and other customs I would refer the reader to another book entitled “Old New Zealand.”