188 On the religion and 



*' rection, and all its pillars, Avails, and beams, are 

 ** of silver. The capital of the second king of these 

 *' Nat is to the north of 3Iienmo; that of the third 

 *' to the west; and that of the fourth to the south. 

 " All these cities have the same shape and size with 

 *' the first. In the whole of this habitation grows 

 *' the Padeza-bayn'^, on which, in place of fruit, 

 *' hang precious garments, the mo.si exquisite viands, 

 " and whatever can afford deli«:ht to the Nat, either 

 '* in ornament or in feasting. Every where in it 

 *' are to be seen running streams, lakes, and the most 

 *' pleasant gardens. On the whole, this habitation 

 *' is filled with delio-hts. These Nat live 500 of 

 *' their years, which are equal to 9,000,000 of ours ; 

 *' their stature is \\^\^ -^juzana. In this habitation, 

 *' as well as in those of the superior Nat^ are males 

 " and females; who perform matrimonial duties in 

 " the same manner as mankind f; and here it is to 

 M be observed, that the beings of the superior, habi- 

 ** tations are not nourished at the breasts of their 

 *' mothers, as happens on earth, but are born per- 

 ^* feet, as if they weie fifteen years old. The Nat of 

 *' this habitation have subject to them certain genii 

 " of an inferior rank, but also called Nat. These 

 ^' are giants, great birds, evil genii, dragons, and 

 *' the like, which inhabit on tlie descent of 'mount 

 *' Jagando. In this habitation also grows a great sa- 

 ** cred tree, which, like those on the four great 

 *^ islands of the earth, will last as long as the world. " 

 ■' XV. Wk have said, that to the habitation 

 '' Zetdnmahar'it belong the sun, moon, and stars, 

 '- which are the palaces of those Nat destined by 

 *' fate to give ligiit to men, to divide the day from 

 *' night, to elistinguish years, seasons, and months, 

 " and to presage good or ill fortune to mankind: 

 " 'J'his therefore is the proper place to speak of 

 " Burma astronomy. The liarma writings mention 

 " eight planets, namely, the Sun, the Moon, Mer- 

 •' cur\', V'cnus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and another 



" one 



* Page, I'SG of this voluinc. 



•f Sed hi coitti ?!Q>i semen y svJ solum ae'fa n.-el-vcnlnm evutluni. 



