popular name of Nephrite (q.v.). Maori name, Pounamu (q.v.).
1859. A.S. Thomson, `Story of New Zealand,' p. 140:
«The greenstone composing these implements of war is callednephrite by mineralogists, and is found in the Middle Island ofNew Zealand, in the Hartz, Corsica, China and Egypt. The mostvaluable kind is clear as glass with a slight green tinge.»
1889. Dr. Hocken, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition,'p. 181:
«This valued stone – – pounamu of the natives – – nephrite, is foundon the west coast of the South Island. Indeed, on CaptainCook's chart this island is called `T'Avai Poenammoo' – – Te waipounamu, the water of the greenstone.»
1892. F. R. Chapman, `The Working of Greenstone by the Maoris'(New Zealand Institute), p. 4:
«In the title of this paper the word `greenstone' occurs, andthis word is used throughout the text. I am quite consciousthat the term is not geologically or mineralogically correct;but the stone of which I am writing is known by that namethroughout New Zealand, and, though here as elsewhere thescientific man employs that word to describe a totallydifferent class of rock, I should run the risk of beingmisunderstood were I to use any other word for what is underthat name an article of commerce and manufacture in NewZealand. It is called `pounamu' or `poenamu' by the Maoris,and `jade,' `jadeite,' or `nephrite' by various writers,while old books refer to the `green talc' of the Maoris.»