{10b} Note 4, page 10. “_Flies_.” This is perhaps an anachronism.
Even speaking of to-day in Tahiti, the phrase would have to be understood
as referring mainly to mosquitoes, and these only in watered valleys with
close woods, such as I suppose to form the surroundings of Rahéro’s
homestead. Quarter of a mile away, where the air moves freely, you shall
look in vain for one.
{13} Note 5, page 13. “_Hook_” of mother-of-pearl. Bright-hook
fishing, and that with the spear, appear to be the favourite native
methods.
{14} Note 6, page 14. “_Leaves_,” the plates of Tahiti.
{16} Note 7, page 16. “_Yottowas_,” so spelt for convenience of
pronunciation, _quasi_ Tacksmen in the Scottish Highlands. The
organisation of eight subdistricts and eight yottowas to a division,
which was in use (until yesterday) among the Tevas, I have attributed
without authority to the next clan: see page 33.
{17} Note 8, page 17. “_Omare_,” pronounce as a dactyl. A loaded
quarter-staff, one of the two favourite weapons of the Tahitian brave;
the javelin, or casting spear, was the other.
{21} Note 9, page 21. “_The ribbon of light_.” Still to be seen (and
heard) spinning from one marae to another on Tahiti; or so I have it upon
evidence that would rejoice the Psychical Society.
{23a} Note 10, page 23. “_Námunu-úra_.” The complete name is
Namunu-ura te aropa. Why it should be pronounced Námunu, dactyllically,
I cannot see, but so I have always heard it. This was the clan
immediately beyond the Tevas on the south coast of the island. At the
date of the tale the clan organisation must have been very weak. There
is no particular mention of Támatéa’s mother going to Papara, to the head
chief of her own clan, which would appear her natural recourse. On the
other hand, she seems to have visited various lesser chiefs among the
Tevas, and these to have excused themselves solely on the danger of the
enterprise. The broad distinction here drawn between Nateva and
Námunu-úra is therefore not impossibly anachronistic.
{23b} Note 11, page 23. “_Hiopa the king_.” Hiopa was really the name
of the king (chief) of Vaiau; but I could never learn that of the king of
Paea—pronounce to rhyme with the Indian _ayah_—and I gave the name where
it was most needed. This note must appear otiose indeed to readers who
have never heard of either of these two gentlemen; and perhaps there is
only one person in the world capable at once of reading my verses and
spying the inaccuracy. For him, for Mr. Tati Salmon, hereditary high
chief of the Tevas, the note is solely written: a small attention from a
clansman to his chief.
{25} Note 12, page 25. “_Let the pigs be tapu_.” It is impossible to
explain _tapu_ in a note; we have it as an English word, taboo. Suffice
it, that a thing which was _tapu_ must not be touched, nor a place that
was _tapu_ visited.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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