often have come in contact. The only precise statement I know of is that mentioned in the Supplement to the Journal of the Polynesian Society, vol. v, p. 6,[1] where they are faithfully described, and said to have been living in a neighbouring island to Waerota, the then home of the Maori branch of the Polynesians, an island which is known to be in the vicinity of Fiji, but which island is uncertain. There are also a few statements in old Maori chants, which probably refer to the Melanesians, but they are very obscure. Some of the very many meanings of the Maori words tupua, "odd, out-landish, demon, weird-one," found so often in their chants and traditions, seem to me to be names for these people. It is just such a name as they would give them at the present day. It is similar in meaning to the Rarotonga taae, which has been already suggested as a descriptive name for the Melanesians.
Fornander, writing of this period, says, "Of that intercourse, contest and hostility between the Papuan (Melanesian) and Polynesian races, there are several traditionary reminiscences among the Polynesian tribes, embodied in their mythology or retained as historical facts, pointing to past collisions and stimulating to future reprisals," but he does not particularise the statements.
In this connection, another question arises: Why did not the Polynesians use the bow and arrows? For they must have seen the effect of them with the Melanesians. Of course, they did use them as an amusement, and for shooting birds &c., but I believe never in war. It is due to the conservatism of the race that they did not use the bow and arrow. Their system of fighting—with few exceptions, was always hand to hand; and this was so much ingrained in the race, like other customs, that they never used the
- ↑ Already quoted, see ante.
