MYTHOLOGY. 
115 
the earth, by a solid transparent substance of ice or crys- 
tal,* along the under side, or that next to the earth, the 
sun and moon were supposed to glide. Above this pave- 
ment was the grand reservoir of the rain, and beyond 
that the abode of the winds the next of spirits ; the 
fourth of light ; the highest and most glorious of all was 
the habitation of Rehua. Another account states, in the 
first heaven was the Hau, or wind ; in the second Te Ao, 
the clouds ; in the third Te Kikorangi, the body of heaven ; 
in the fourth Papa, the earth ; in the fifth Te Roto, the 
reservoir of water, the grand lake ; in the sixth Nga Atua, 
the gods, and the same up to the tenth, inhabited by Rehua. 
The sky, with its solid pavement, lying upon the earth, 
rendered it fruitless ; a few insignificant shrubs and creeping 
plants only had room to grow on its surface. 
The earth’s skin, or covering, was the tutu ; 
Her covering was the wehe-wehe ; 
Her covering was the bramble ; 
Her covering was the nettle. 
Don’t grieve that the earth is overflowed with water ; 
Don’t lament for the length of time. 
The ocean’s reign shall be broken ; 
The ocean’s surface shall be rough, 
(with lands springing up in it) 
With mountains standing forth, 
Girdling round the sea. 
* The following is a description of the Heavens given by an old Chief : — 
He tua whenua te rangi, he kohatu nga wetu, he kohatu nui te ra, na Maui i ti- 
toko ake te rangi, ko enei enei, ko era kohatu era, i piri atu lei tera oneone. 
He kiko rangi i tera, he mangu iho ra no tua atu i te kiko rangi te ua, tua atu 
he tangata : kei tua mai o te kiko rangi te hau. Nga taepanga o te rangi, 
nga tatutanga ki raro. The heaven is solid ground, the stars are stones, the 
sun is a great stone. It was Maui who propped up the heaven ; these stones 
stuck to these on this half of the globe, the heaven, those stones stuck to 
those on that half of the globe, the earth. There is a firmament on that side, 
a dark blue sky, and beyond the firmament is the region of the rain, and above 
that of men (gods) ; on this side of the firmament is the wind, the verge of 
heaven, the depths below being its region. 
f Tawaki is said to have danced with such violence upon the pavement of 
heaven when in a great rage as to crack it, and so let the water through*, which 
fell on the earth and caused the deluge. 
i 2 
