Travels in New Zealand
With Contributions to the Geography, Geology, Botany, and Natural History of that Country

A naturalist's two-volume 1843 account of his journeys through New Zealand's North Island, covering the flora, fauna and native islanders.

Ernst Dieffenbach (Author)

9781108062183, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 September 2013

410 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.3 cm, 0.52 kg

As a surgeon and naturalist for the New Zealand Company, Ernst Dieffenbach (1811–55) travelled widely in the North Island between 1839 and 1841. He was the first European to successfully scale Mount Egmont (or Taranaki), and he also visited the natural wonders of the Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana, which were later destroyed in a volcanic eruption. First published in 1843, this two-volume work describes the landscapes, flora and fauna in a highly readable style. Volume 2 focuses on the Maori inhabitants of the island, for whom Dieffenbach had a respect and admiration that was unusual for the time. He writes about their customs, such as hunting techniques, burial practices and the tradition of facial tattooing. He also provides examples of Maori language, including songs and simple phrases. The final section of the work comprises a short grammar and dictionary.

Part I: 1. The natives of New Zealand
2. Diseases in the natives
3. Native customs regarding children
4. The food of the natives
5. Native villages and houses
6. Origins of the New Zealanders
7. The character and intellectual faculties of the natives
8. Native modes of reckoning times and seasons
9. How to legislate for the natives of New Zealand
10. Fauna of New Zealand
Part II. On the Languages of New Zealand: 1. Introductory remarks
2. Specimens of the New Zealand language
Part III: 1. Grammar
2. Dictionary.

Subject Areas: Australasian & Pacific history [HBJM]