1810.] SUPERSTITIONS. 319 



second god, who resides in the skies and is esteemed equal to 

 M:mi in dignity. Hikuleo is the god of spirits, and is the 

 third in order ; he dwells in a cave on the island of Ton^a. 

 The gods who produce evil are called Atua Banuu. 



Bulotu, however, is the principal deity. He inhabits n 

 cave on a fabulous island bearing his name, which lies ft a 

 considerable distance north-west of Tonga. In consequenc • 

 of his long tail he is unable to leave the cave, but holds hi-- 

 feasts there, and solaces himself with a great number of 

 wives. He possesses absolute power over all, but is destitute 

 of either love or goodness. The most valuable presents art- 

 deposited in his spirit-temple, and human sacrifices are offered 

 to him, when an act of sacrilege has been committed, within 

 the morais, or sacred inclosures. Other gods inferior to Bu- 

 lotu reside on the same island. When the natives of th' j 

 lower class die, they remain in the world, and feed on ants 

 and lizards, but the spirits of the kings, nobles, and mata- 

 booles, or inferior chiefs, are wafted to Bulotu — " the island 

 of the blessed." This island is supposed to be larger than 

 the whole Tonga Group, and to be well stocked with useful 

 and ornamental plants, in a high state of perfection. It pro- 

 duces the richest fruits, and the most beautiful flowers, al- 

 ways imbathed in fragrance. Brilliant-tinted birds fill the 

 air with their melody. There is also an abundance of hosjs 

 and other animals. Neither fruit nor flower ever fades; but 

 if either be plucked, another starts forth, its exact imagp, in 

 the very place it occupied. So, too, the birds and animals 

 are immortal. If one of the former be destroyed, ere its 

 song be hushed, its rich melody is continued, without the loss 

 of a single note, by another warbler that instant called into 

 existence. If a hog be killed for the use of the gods, its 

 place is supplied in a moment, and the occupants of porker- 

 dom, like the birds, and fruits, and flowers, never diminish in 

 numbers. 



It is supposed by the natives, that the air of Bulotu can- 

 not be inhaled by mortal bodies without producing speedy 

 death, unless the gods so will ; that it is dangerous to go 



