Seals and whales of various kinds are found in the neighbouring seas, but not an plentifully as formerly; and many sorts of fish, several of which are edible. Fish and eels are also found in the rivers. There are numerous species of birds, the most remarkable of which is the kiwi of the natives (dpteryx atastralia), a struthious bird, unable to fly on account of its want of wings, instead of which it is provided with flappers. Among other birds are a rail, found in the swamps, as large as an English pheasant, and of splendid colours : some small and gaily-coloured parrots ; a sort of mocking bird, called tui by the natives, which makes a variety of fanciful noises, coughing, whistling, and chattering ; and a small owl, called by the settlers ' More Pork,' from the sound which it is said it distinctly pronounces towards day break for half an boor continuously.
Very little is known of the mineralogy of New Zealand. In October 1852 gold was discovered at Coromandel, about 40 miles E. from Auckland, on the peninsula formiog the eastern side of Hauraki Gulf, between the harbours of Waihou on the western side and Mercury Bay on the eastern side. Neither lead nor silver have been traced, but Dieffenbach states that from the island of Otea, or Great Barrier Island, which is north of Cape Colville before the entrance of Hauraki Gulf, he obtained specimens of a copper-ore, some of which contained nearly 25 per cent. of copper. Iron-ore is said to exist at several places; coal has been found and worked at Massacre Bay, on the Waikato River; at Motunao ; at 3fokau, in New Ulster ; and at Saddle Hill, near Otago; and also at various places in the neighbourhood of Tasman Bay, In the island of New Munster. Thick layers of lignite are observed in the cliffs which skirt the western and eastern coasts, but especially in the former.- Limestone is found on the west coast, especially on the deeper inlets, and some limestone-rocks would yield warble. Indurated scorim and some kind of sandstone are fit for building materials. Slates are met with in many places. Immense quantities of sulphur could be collected in the volcanic region.
Population and Inhabitants.—The population ie composed of Euro pean settlers and of the native tribes. The natives call themselves Maori (aborigines), in contradistinction to the foreigners, or Pakehah. They are generally tall, muscular, and well-proportioned, and do not vary in size as much as Europeans do, The form of the cranium approaches that of the European. Their language is derived from the same stock with the Malay language, but that of the Malaya has been greatly enriched by foreign words from the Sanscrit, Arabic, &c.,
whilst that of New Zealand preserved its originality until the mission aries and Europeans introduced new ideas and new signs for them.
When the voyages of Cook first made us acquainted with New Zealand, the inhabitants derived their food from plants which they cultivated, Used in houses constructed so as to protect them against rain and the weather, were possessed of large war-canoes, and wore more clothing than the people in the other islands ; but they were divided into many tribes, which were frequently at war with one another. On the hills which are so numerous they built villages, which were fortified with palisadoes and ditches, and to these small fortresses they retired when attacked by an enemy. These fortresses were called pahs.' Their wars were carried on with great cruelty; they ate their enemies who fell in battle, and frequently killed and ate their prisoners. Women and children were carried off as slaves. These wars greatly impeded their progress in civilisation.
The intercourse of the natives with Europeans effected a great change. The New Zealander became acquainted with the use of fire arms and adopted them. The tribes that first became possessed of fire-arms immediately acquired a superiority over their neighbours ; and this circumstance led to the annihilation of several tribes which had formerly been numerous and powerful, and it is probable that the whole race would have been extirpated if the missionaries had not arrived.
The most singular custom among the New Zealanders, as well as among the inhabitants of many other ialauds dispersed over the Pacific, is what is called I tapu,' which signifies that a thing must not be used or touched, and heavy penalties are attached to the violation of the tapu. Many things are always tapu, as the plantations of the sweet potato, property contained in a house left uninhabited by its proprietor, a house containing seeds, a canoe left unprotected ou the beach, or a tree selected for being worked into a canoe at a future period. A married woman and a girl promised in marriage are invio lably tapu. A burying-place and the utensils and clothes used iu interments are strictly tapn. It is evident that this tapu supplies the want of prohibitory laws. But a thing may also be declared tapu by the priests, and it cannot be used until the tapu is taken oft Even mess or women may be prouounced tapu, and then they are not allowed to touch their food or drink, but are fed by others until the tapu is taken oft which is done by the priest or priestess by some simple ceremonies and prayers.