energies;but the reverse of this must be the case with Saumatoa, Marquesas, Society and Navigators' Islands; while the climate of the Sandwich Islands must approach much more nearly to that of the latter, than to that of New Zealand. So far, then, I think it may be taken as a matter of general agreement that the native race of New Zealand have, on the whole, much more marked resemblance to those populations grouped under the name of Polynesia, than they have to the Negrito or Papuan peoples. It remains, however, to be shewn whether they have any nearer connexion with these Islands than may be fairly assumed from the broad differences between the black Negro and the yellow Malay; and, further, whether, admitting this one physical resemblance between them and the Malays, there is any reason to suppose them the descendants of a Malay colony, who might have found their way to New Zealand six or seven centuries ago. It is right that I should state; in limine, that some writers, as Dr. Dieffenbach, and, to some extent, Mr. Thomson* Mr. Colenso, I observe, asserts that the Maoris are not Polynesians, but I do not see that he has given any very strong reasons for this opinion. also, have maintained that there are two distinct races in New Zealand, the yellow-brown and by far the most numerous, but, besides these, a much darker skinned people; and have assumed that these two classes are descendants of two original stocks, the darker being the original. Later examination has not, however, as it seems to me, confirmed this view; besides it is scarcely probable that had there been, at any time, a considerable infusion of a Negrito population, they would not have left behind them some other traces of their former presence, than merely a certain number of darker skinned people, with hair differing in quality from that found among the majority of the population. I shall recur to this theory, presently. Now there are various ways in which such an inquiry as I am proposing might be carried out, independently of what are called “Race-characteristics,” such as the recognition of a similarity or peculiarity of customs, manners, etc., prevailing through all or most of the leading Polynesian groups, but which are found less universally, or not at all, elsewhere;—or, the unity or difference of dialects among the islanders. To each of these, especially the latter, I shall refer at some length hereafter. But I must notice first, a new view of the “whence” of the Maoris, which has been advocated with much ability in the Fourth Volume of the “Trans. of the N. Z. Inst.” by Mr. J. T. Thomson; because, if his theory can be maintained, the Maori can, hardly, be any longer considered as a