MYTHOLOGY. 
17 
There were either ten or eleven Heavens ;* the lowest was 
separated from the earth, by a solid transparent substance like 
ice or crystal,f and it was along the under side, or that next 
to the earth, that the sun and moon were supposed to glide. 
Above this pavement was the grand reservoir of the rain, and 
beyond that was the abode of the winds.J 
Each Heaven was distinct, the lowest being the abode of 
rain ; the next of spirits ; the third of the winds ; the fourth 
of light, the highest of all, being the most glorious, and 
therefore the chief habitation of the gods. 
The sky, with its solid pavement, laying upon the earth, 
* Tawaki’s Ascent to Heaven. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituatahi, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituarua, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituatoru, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituawa, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituarima, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituaono, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituawitu, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituawaru, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituaiwa, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Piki ake Tawaki i te Rangituarea, 
E rongo te Mahaki. 
Pipiri moko, pipiri moko, raraumoko raraumoko, 
Rarauki taha tu o te rangi. 
•j- The following is a description given by an old Chief, of the Heavens :— 
He tua whenua te rangi, he kohatu nga wetu, he kohatu nni te ra, nama'ui i ti- 
toko ake te rangi, ko enei enei, ko era kohatu era, i piri atu ki tera oneone. 
He kiko rangi i tera, he mangu iho ra (blue sky) 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. 
+ 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 a deluge. 
C 
