448 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION G. 



outside the lagoon. The bird also flies up to heaven to give 

 notice of the return of the woman. The tedious repetitions in 

 the tale are also peculiar. Had a Samoan recited the tale of the 

 woman who had seven husbands (Mark, 12,20), he would have 

 given the name of each of the seven, and an account of each 

 separate marriage and death. 



The giving of the hook fi'om one to another as they swam, and 

 each in succession felt that he was drowning, was intended to 

 show the power of the hook to bring calamity ; so that the womam, 

 though naturally the weakest, yet having it given up to her the last, 

 would be so near the land that she was able to get safely ashore. 



The language of the Samoans was kept pure before their inter- 

 course with other nations. Afterwards they seemed to be proud 

 to adopt foreign words. The translation of the Bible, according 

 to the testimony of the natives, fixed their language. There are 

 therefore no archaisms in the language of the legend. One mark 

 of age is the entire absence of chiefs' language or the language of 

 respect. Such language as is used to chiefs in the Legend would 

 not be tolerated in pi-esent times. To use any other than the 

 language of respect would now be considered as an insult. 



The parting command not to look back, and the serious conse- 

 quences of disobedience, cannot fail to recall a similar command 

 given by the angel to Lot, with the fatal consequences of disregard 

 in the case of his wife. 



This is a sacred composition, mostly recitative but partly sung. 

 It is one of the most ancient legends, and was kept secret by the 

 orators fx'om every one except their successors. 



THE GENEALOGY OP THE SUN. 



Part I. 



Pua and Singano* were man and wife.. fThey had three children ; 

 the daughter was changed into the Jifiifi tree.. Tafa'i and Alise 

 were her brothers.. Lauamatoto their attendant, desired to find a 

 wife for Tafa'i.. Lauamatoto ascends into the skies.. There in 

 crowds slept the handsome men of the skies.. The man had gone 

 up with a large pig..§ He makes his appearance amongst them.. 

 The woman seated under the ridge pole of the house, suspected his 

 object. [She asked him].. From whence are you?? The man answered 

 her, I came from below, from Tafa'i.. The woman was pleased 

 with the suit of Tafa'i.. Then the woman asked. Where is Tafa'i? 

 Lauamatoto answered her, Tafa'i is in Tutuila : — ^which was false.. 



*Natnes of odoriferous trees. 



tThe double puiiotuation throusjhout this translation indicates the end of a line of the 

 Samoan text, and is intended to help the reader to compare the text with the translation, 

 line by line. The words in square brackets arc not to be found in the text. 



JAn odoriferous tree. 



§A courting present. 



