the expedients resorted to are alluded to. Again in the voyage of the Moriori ancestors from New Zealand to the Chatham Islands, the same troubles, due to want of water, are clearly indicated in the narrative.
It is well known to all acquainted with the Polynesians, that they had a very complete knowledge of the heavens, and the movements of the stars, &c., to all the prominent ones of which they gave names. In the accounts of the coming of the six canoes to New Zealand in the fourteenth century, we have references to the stars by which they steered. That they were acquainted with the fact of the appearance of the Heavens changing as the observer moved either north or south is proved by the following: In a paper written by S. M. Kamakau, a learned native historian of Hawaii, (for a translation of which we are indebted to Prof. W. D. Alexander) which is a code of instructions for the study of the stars, he says, "If you sail for Kahiki (Tahiti) you will discover new constellations and strange stars over the deep ocean. When you arrive at the Piko-o-wakea, (Pito-o-watea or Atea, in Maori) the equator, you will lose sight of Hoku-paa, (the north star) and then Newe will be the southern guiding star, and the constellation of Humu will stand as a guide to you."[1] According to Mr John White the teaching of astronomy, was a special feature of the old Maori whare-kura or "house of learning."
Some branches of the Polynesians actually had charts showing the positions of the various islands. These were formed of strings stretched on a frame, with little pieces of wood on them, to indicate islands, and on which were shown also, the direction of currents and the regular roll of the waves before the Trade-wind.[2]
- ↑ "Hawaiian Annual" for 1891.
- ↑ See an illustration of one of these, Jour: Poly: Soc: vol. iv, p. 236 from which ours is taken.
