380 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



nether- world was in flames, which consumed the fire-god and 

 all he possessed. Even the rocks cracked and split with the 

 heat : hence the ancient saying, — 



'The rocks at Orovaru (in the shades) are burning.'* 



" Ere leaving the land of ghosts, Maui carefully picked up 

 the two fire-sticks, once the property of Mauike, and hastened 

 to the bread-fruit tree, where the red pigeon, ' Fearless,' quietly 

 awaited his return. His first care was to restore the tail of the 

 bird, so as to avoid the anger of Tane. There was no time to 

 be lost, for the flames were rapidly spreading. He re-entered 

 the pigeon, which carried his fire-sticks one in each claw, arid 

 flew to the lower entrance of the chasm. Once more pro- 

 nouncing the words he learnt from Buataranga, the rocks 

 parted, and he got safely back to this upper world. Through 

 the good offices of his mother, the pigeon met with no opposi- 

 tion from the fierce guardians of the road to the shades. On 

 again entering into light, the red pigeon took a long sweep, 

 alighting eventually in a lovely, secluded valley, which was 

 thenceforth named Eupe-tan, or " the pigeon's resting-place." 

 Maui now resumed his original human form, and hastened to 

 carry back the pet bird of Tane. 



"Passing through the main valley of Keia, he found that 

 the flames had preceded him, and had found an aperture at 

 Teaoa, since closed up. The Kings Rangi and Mokoiro trem- 

 bled for their land : for it seemed as if everything would be 

 destroyed by the devouring flames. To save Mangaia from utter 

 destruction, they exerted themselves to the utmost, and finally 

 succeeded in putting out the fire. Rangi thenceforth adopted 

 the new name of Matamea, (or "watery-eyes,") to commemorate 

 his sufferings ; and Mokoiro was ever after called Auai (or 

 "smoke"). The inhabitants of Mangaia availed themselves of 

 the conflagration to get fire, and to cook. But after a time the 

 fire went out, and as they were not in possession of the secret 

 they could not get new fire. But Maui was never without fire in 

 his dwelling : a circumstance that excited the surprise of all. 

 Many were the inquiries as to the cause. At length he took 

 compassion on the inhabitants of the world, and told them the 

 wonderful secret : that fire lies hidden in the Hibiscus, the Urtica 

 argentea, the tauinu, and the banyan. This hidden fire might 

 be elicited by the use of fire-sticks, which he produced. Finally, 

 he desired them to chant the " Fire-god's Song," to give efficacy 

 to the use of the fire-sticks. From that memorable day all the 

 dwellers in this upper world used fire-sticks with success, and 

 enjoyed the luxuries of light and cooked food. ... At 



* Equivalent to saying: "The foundations of the world are on fire." 



