Page:Some Account of New Zealand.pdf/72

Rh others; the materials are the same as those of the dress mats, but so tightly woven, that when hanging loose a spear will not penetrate it: this gives it the double advantage of a dress and a shield.

The war-mat is generally ornamented with a border, which frequently displays a great degree of taste: the Vandyke is a common pattern.

The priests, if so they may be called, appear to attend but little to the ornaments of dress. I believe they use but little, if any, red earth, either on their persons or hair; the unctious matter is used by them as a defence to the skin against the rays of the sun. Their heads are destitute of ornament, the hair being simply collected into a knot on the crown. The mat they wear is of a texture suited to the season.

The children go perfectly naked till about eight years of age. They wear ear ornaments from earliest infancy. Rh