wiry-stemmed plant, with small mop-like tufts, which
hold water like a sponge. This is <i>Bellotia Eriophorum</i>,
the specific name derived from its resemblance to the
cotton-grass. Harvey mentions its colonial name as `<i>Tagrag
and Bobtail</i>,' and if it will enable collectors the more
easily to recognise it, let it be retained."

<hw>Taiaha</hw>, <i>n</i>. a Maori word for a chief's
walking-staff, a sign of office, sometimes used in fighting,
like a quarterstaff.

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.
p. 139:

"The men are placed at equal intervals along either side to
paddle, and they keep excellent stroke to the song of two
leaders, who stand up and recite short alternate sentences,
giving the time with the taiaha, or long wooden spear. The
taiaha is rather a long-handled club than a spear. It is
generally made of manuka, a very hard, dark, close-grained
and heavy wood. The taiaha is about six feet long, etc."

1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand,' p. 46:

"The taiaha is rather a long-handled club than a spear."

1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 299:

"A taiaha, or chiefs staff."

1881. J. L. Campbell, `Poenamo,' p. 80:

"In his right hand he brandished a taiaha, a six-foot Maori
broadsword of hard wood, with its pendulous plume of feathers
hanging from the hilt."

1889. Major Wilson and Edward Tregear, `On the Korotangi,'
`Transactions of New Zealand Institute,' vol. xxii. art. lxii.
p. 505:

"Many famous tribal heirlooms are hidden and lost to posterity.
The Rev. Mr. Buller mentions a famous taiaha, of great mana, as
having been buried and lost in this way, lest it should fall
into the power of opposing tribes, and cause disaster to the
original owner."

<hw>Taihoa</hw>, Maori phrase, meaning "Wait a bit."
Much used in some circles in New Zealand. The `Standard'
gives it wrongly as "Anglo-Tasmanian," probably because
Mr. Wade's book was published in Hobart.

1842. W. R. Wade, `Journey in New Zealand' (Hobart Town),
p.66:

"`Taihoa.' This word has been translated, By and by;
but in truth, it has all the latitude of directly,--presently,
--by and by,--a long time hence,--and nobody knows when . . .
the deliberate reply is, `Taihoa'. . . this patience-trying
word. . . ."

1881. J. L. Campbell, `Poenamo,' p. 87:

"That irritatingly provoking word, `taihoa.'"

[p. 88]: "The drawled-out t-a-i-h-o-a fell upon the ear."

[p. 266] [Title of chapter]: