POLYNESIAN MIGRATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 23, 19 April 1927, Page 8

POLYNESIAN MIGRATION

IS THE BANANA A CLUE? Will a close study of the banana tree eventually disclose of the Polynesian races and tneir migrations in the Pacific? That is the problem at present oc cupying the mind of Professor uMac Daniels, who arrived from tne lands on the Tofua. this morningHe is a professor in the depar of pomology in the Cornell America, but at present he is attato the Bishop Museum, ,9® t n e which is his headquarters time he is engaged on his res work in the Pacific. 8 Professor Mac Daniels is JTiaK *"f ceS close study of the Polynesian from the point of view of mea plants such as the banana. Cnn it i, are studying the same subjec the taro and the breadfruit as.a The professor explained tn banana cannot be propagated t>e seeds, but shoots of the tree m carried from place to place, it of hte staple foods of the Islan tives. , . made. If a survey of the banana is a the professor thinks jt -.T a T,Hon ot clue to the centre of distnb the Polynesians. He has I_si^®nore 1 _ si^® n ore 4# time in Hawaii, where there tree> different varieties of tne There is one particular variety „ Professor Mac Daniels is study ins ticularly. It is not marketable an fruit grows in a cluster on the - the tree, instead of hanging in | like the commercial variety. r ;gjnaJ This may have been the banana which was carried by gtill nesians on their travels. Sc .cietf used as an article of food in the his stay in New Zealand fessor Mac Daniels will visit air. Best, in Wellington. Mr- Bc-sth <lone a great deal of J among the natives oi the