roficiency in this art that he was
considered the most expert at it of any of his countrymen. The process,
as I was informed, consists of taking out the brains, and drying the
head in such a manner as to keep the flesh entire; but in doing this an
uncommon degree of skill and experience is required. Marsden put some
questions to Pomaree one day about the plan he pursued in this art that
gave him so decided a superiority over the others; but he was not
willing to make him a direct reply, as he knew it was a subject on
which we reflected with horror, and one which in its detail must be
shocking to our feelings. But my friend asking him if he could procure a
head preserved in this manner, it occurred to him that he might receive
an axe for his trouble; and this idea made the man of business not only
enter into a copious explanation of his system, but induced him also to
offer us a sample of his practice, by telling us he would go and shoot
some people who had killed his son, if we would supply him with powder
for the purpose; and then, bringing back their heads, would show us all
we wished to know about his art of preserving them.

"It will easily be supposed that this sanguinary proposal immediately
put an end to all further interrogatories; and Marsden, whose motive for
questioning him on the subject was not to discover the nature of a
practice so revolting to humanity, but to develop more fully the
character of the individual, told him he must fight no more, and desired
him, in positive terms, never to attempt to bring any sample of his art
on board, as he had no intention of seeing it himself at the time he
inquired about it, nor would he suffer any one in the ship to
countenance such a shocking exhibition.

"This was a sad disappointment to Pomaree, who found himself deceived in
the hopes he had formed of increasing his wealth by the addition of
another axe; and I cannot help believing that, for so tempting a
reward, he would not have hesitated to take the life of the first person
that came in his way, provided he could have done it with impunity. This
chief omitted no opportunity of setting forth his great personal
qualifications, as likewise the extensive authority he possessed; and he
was constantly boasting of his warlike achievements, despising his
rivals, and extolling himself over all the other heroes of New Zealand."

Cruise has given us a short account of the manner of preserving heads;
and we find it also