y its palisade, and communicating with each other by narrow
lanes, admitting of being easily stopped up, in case of the enemy having
effected his entrance within the general enclosure. The only road to
the strong-hold is by a single narrow and steep passage.

Cruise describes a fort at Wangarooa as situated on an insulated rock,
about three hundred feet high, and presenting the most imposing
appearance. These elevated palings were a subject of much speculation to
those on board of Cook's vessel, when that navigator first approached
the coast of New Zealand. Some, he tells us, supposed them to be
inclosures for sheep and oxen, while others maintained they were parks
of deer.

The New Zealanders may, in some degree, be considered as a warlike
people upon the sea. We have no distinct account of any maritime
engagements between one tribe and another carried on in their vessels of
war; but as these belong to the state, if it may be so termed--that is,
as the war canoes are the property of a particular community inhabiting
a village or district, as distinguished from the fishing-boats of
individuals--it is probable that their hostile encounters may
occasionally be carried on upon the element with which a nation of
islanders are generally familiar.

Rutherford has given a minute description of a war-canoe, which accords
with the representation of such a large vessel in the plates to Cook's
"Voyages":--

"Their canoes are made of the largest sized pine-trees, which generally
run from 40 to 50 feet long, and are hollowed out, and lengthened about
eight feet at each end, and raised about two feet on each side.

"They are built with a figure head; the stern-post extending about ten
feet above the stern of the canoe, which is handsomely carved, as well
as the figure-head, and the whole body of the canoe. The sides are
ornamented with pearl shell, which is let into the carved work, and
above that is a row of feathers. On both sides, fore and aft, they have
seats in the inside, so that two men can sit abreast. They pull about
fifty paddles on each side, and many of them will carry two hundred
people. When paddling, the chief stands up and cheers them with a song,
to which they all join in chorus. These canoes roll heavy, and go at the
rate of seven knots an hour. Their sails are made of straw mats in the
shape of a lateen sail. They cook in their canoes, but always go on
shore to eat. They are frequently known to go three or fou