As to the source of the peculiar patterns used by the New Zealanders, they probably have some relation with the admirable wood-carving before mentioned.

Either the Moko artists copied the style of the skilful carvers of panels, door-posts, clubs, and the figure-heads on the prows of canoes, or the wood-carvers borrowed and reproduced the lines and curves of the Moko.
The inspiration of the patterns, whether on wood or skin, may be found in the spirals of sea-shells, the tracery on the skin of lizards and the bark of trees, and even, it may be, in the curious fluting and natural scroll-work on the tall cliffs of the calcareous clay called _papa_.
But, however the Moko artist learned his designs, he was a painstaking and conscientious craftsman in imprinting them on his subject.

No black-and-white draughtsman of our time, no wood-cutter, etcher, or line-engraver, worked with slower deliberation.

The outlines were first drawn with charcoal or red ochre.

Thus was the accuracy of curve and scroll-work ensured.