of the flute, there is another precisely similar carving in relief, and another again at the bottom of the instrument; but the last has elevated ears (as if to catch the strains of music), and the mouth is open, the orifice of the flute representing the throat. The entire outer surface of the flute between the heads I have described is very elaborately carved in the neat and regular whakarauponga pattern. The blowing-orifice, or mouth of the flute, is placed in a plain circle just below the lips of the top figure. The three other apertures are placed near the bottom of the instrument, the first being just 6in. from its extremity, and the two others at distances of 2in. and 1·5in. apart respectively. It produces a rich note like that of our own flutes, and not the shrill penny-whistle piping of the ordinary Maori koauau. I am assured that the tradition in the family is that this is the identical flute on which Tutanekai discoursed his love-song to Hinemoa, the maiden of Rotorua, several hundred years ago. But that seems to me only a pleasant fiction. The comparative newness of its appearance prevents our referring this relic to any remote period, besides which the fine carving is undoubtedly produced by cutting with an iron chisel. It seems to me rather an adaptation of the principle of our own flute than a very ancient form; although, on the other hand, the late Dr. Shortland, who was no mean authority on Maori matters, is said to have believed in its historical authenticity, placing a value of £100 on the relic. It must be remembered, also, that there are other flutes on the true koauau pattern, and of admittedly ancient date, claiming the honour in question; notably, the famous human-bone flute, called Te Murirangaranga, presented by the Rotorua tribes to Captain Gilbert Mair after his gallant defence of Ohinemutu, for which he afterwards received the decoration of the New Zealand Cross; and the interesting wooden flute in Sir George Grey's collection, now deposited in the Auckland Art Gallery.

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

To return, however, to Dr. Shortland's flute, now under notice, I may mention that the cavity, due apparently to the natural hollowness of the wood when deprived of the pith, is exactly three-quarters of an inch in diameter. As already explained, this is hermetically closed at the top; but at the bottom of the instrument there is an artificial constriction, about two inches up, with an orifice in the centre, exactly of the size of the note-holes, or 3/16in. in diameter. This is very curious and suggestive, reminding one of the peculiar tonsillike contrivance already described by me in treating of the pukaea, or long war-trumpet.^*