Ancient History of the Maori, Vol. 1

mythology, and of the creation of the world, and of man and woman, vary considerably; so also do the names of several of the gods, and of priests, and of battles; in many instances even the sexes of the gods, and priests, and heroes do not agree; neither do the navigators always agree as to the canoes, or the localities of some of the ancient battles, or the heroes who took part in them.

When a name differs in form or orthography, or where it bears more than one meaning, these are respectively given, with explanations of various other matters on which the priests differ, in the dictionary to be appended to the complete work, as indicated by the letter (d) in the several volumes: these explanations, it is hoped, will aid, not only the young Maori scholar, but also the ethnological investigator in his researches respecting the various tribes who occupy the islands of the South Pacific.

Genealogical charts of the various migrations will be given in a separate volume, and it will be seen that the work has been compiled in the order in which it now stands in accordance with them.

I would record my obligations and thanks for matter received from the late Rev. C. Creed, the late Rev. R. Taylor, and the late Rev. J. F. H. Wohlers.

With great pleasure and gratitude I also record here the names of those priests who have given the histories of the respective migrations, namely:—

Nepia-Po-huhu, Wairua, Paratene-oka-whare, Apiata, Rihari Tohi, Karauria-Nga-whare, Waka-