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to be uttered in the shape of a yell or song, so that the process is literally a species of incan tation. Bishop Newton, in his commentary on the scriptural account of Balaam being sent for to curse the Israelites, says, “It was a super stitious ceremony in use among the heathens, to devote their enemies to destruction at the beginning of their wars; as if the gods would enter into their passions, and were as unjust and partial as themselves.” The demeanour of most of the New Zealand priests is something so entirely different from that observed by the ministers of religion in civilized countries that it is not surprising Rutherford should have failed to recognise them as belonging to that order. Thus, we read of a priest who speaks of having killed, not by enchantment, but in the usual way, with his own hands, both a woman who had gone on board a ship contrary to his orders, and a man who had stolen some potatoes. Another is mentioned as having one day introduced himself into the house of Mr. Williams, one of the missionaries, by springing over the fence, and then, when his rude conduct was reproved, stripping himself to fight with that gentleman. The same personage, who bore the venerable name of Towee Taboo,* or Holy Towee, a short time after attempted to break Mr. Williams’s door to pieces with a long pole; and when he could not accomplish that object, *Tui Tapu.