These were carefully sought for, and then a large iron pot
was made red hot, and the poor httle things were put
into it and consumed. This caused the spirits to fly out
of them in the shape of large moths ; then the pots were
filled with potatoes, which were eaten whilst certaiu prayers
were uttered. Adepts in this kind of work went through
the district ; they selected a spot, the operator pronounced
it to be the abode of this enemy of the Maoii race ; he stuck
a pole in the ground, drew a circle around it, and commanded
• his followers to dig there, when they invariably found the
poor little reptile, which most probably they had brought
with them. It is a kind of eft, of a dirty flesh-color, and
slightly transparent ; and being a night lizard it lies con-
cealed in the earth during the day ; hence its existence
was not known before this absurd idea arose. The lizards



THE CHURCH. 63

thus captured were placed in a bottle, and when a sufficient
number were obtained they were given up to be cooked, and
served in the manner just stated. This absurdity lasted
some time, and deluded a considerable number.
