Description of Maori Comb and Arrow Heads.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 13, 1880, Page 436

4. “Descriptions of New Crustaceans,” by T. W. Kirk., (Transactions, p. 236.) 5. “Notes on some recent Additions to the Collection of Birds in the Colonial Museum,” by T. W. Kirk. (Transactions, p. 235.) 6. “Description of Maori Comb and Arrow Heads,” by T. W. Kirk. Some time since, among the sand-hills at the southern end of the isthmus which connects Miramar peninsula with the main land, accompanied by Mr. Page, I found a tolerably complete skeleton of a man, and portions of several others of much slighter build, probably belonging to women, together with a quantity of chert and obsidian flakes, etc. Amongst the chert flakes I was strouck with the unmistakeable arrow-head-like form of two pieces, that of No. 1, a flint, being most marked; No. 2, a chert, is broken, and may or may not have been a similar weapon. I believe there are, both in the Christchurch and Auckland Museums, implements supposed to have been used as arrow-heads, but in no case do they possess so decidedly the characteristic features of such implements as in this instance.

According to the generally received idea, the Maoris were quite ignorant of the use of the bow and arrow; yet remembering the rather lengthy discussion which recently took place between Messrs. W. Colenso and Coleman Phillips on the ignorance; or otherwise, of the Maoris concerning the use of projectiles, I am inclined to think that these two bits of stone are likely to prove more interesting than at first sight would be expected. The next item (No. 3) is a long and curious four-toothed comb, presented to me by Mr. Page, who picked it up at the same spot where the articles above-mentioned were afterwards obtained. It is made of whalebone, and measures 7 inches in total length, and 1½ inches in width, the teeth (all of the same size) being long. There is no attempt at ornamentation, with the exception of the curved top which bears a small point inclining to one side, and serves to soften the otherwise very rigid outline of the whole implement.