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interred. This ceremony was not much unlike certain 
portions of the degrading rites performed on the person 
of a heretic^ in connexion with an auto de fe^ in the 
Romish church. 
The resources of the Areois were ample. They were^ 
therefore^ always enabled to employ the priest of Roma- 
tane^ who was supposed to have the keys of Rohutu noa- 
noa, the Tahitian's paradise. This priest consequently 
succeeded the priest of Oro^ in the funeral ceremonies : 
he stood by the dead body, and offered his petitions to 
Urutaetae, who was not altogether the Charon of their 
mythology, but the god whose office it was to conduct 
the spirits of Areois and others, for whom the priest of 
Romatane was employed, to the place of happiness. 
This Rohutu noanoa, (literally, perfumed or fragrant 
Rohutu,) was altogether a Mahomedan paradise. It was 
supposed to be near a lofty and stupendous mountain 
in Raiatea, situated in the vicinity of Hamaniino har¬ 
bour, and called Temehani unauna^ splendid or glorious 
Temehani. It was, however, said to be invisible to 
mortal eyes, being in the reva^ or aerial regions. The 
country was described as most lovely and enchanting in 
appearance, adorned with flowers of every form and hue, 
and perfumed with odours of every fragrance. The air 
was free from every noxious vapour, pure, and most 
salubrious. Every species of enjoyment, to which the 
Areois and other favoured classes had been accustomed 
on earth, was to be participated there. Rich viands 
and delicious fruits were supposed to be furnished in 
abundance, for the frequent and sumptuous festivals 
celebrated there. Handsome youths and women, purotu 
anae, all perfection, thronged the place. These honours 
and gratifications were only for the privileged orders. 
