40 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
The origin of the islands, as well as their inhabitants, 
was generally attributed to Taaroa, or the joint agency 
of Taaroa and Hina, and although one of their traditions 
states that all the islands were formerly united in one 
fenua nui, or large continent, which the gods in anger 
destroyed, scattering in the ocean the fragments, of 
which Tahiti is one of the largest; yet others ascribe 
their formation to Taaroa, who is said to have laboured 
so hard in the work of creation, that the profuse per¬ 
spiration induced thereby, filled up the hollows, and 
formed the sea accounting, by this circumstance, for its 
transparency and saltness. Others attribute the origin 
of the world, the elements, the heavenly bodies, and 
the human species, to the procreative powers of their 
deities; and, according to their account, one of the 
descendants of Taaroa, and the son of the sun and 
moon, and, in reference to his descent, the Manco 
Capac of their mythology, embracing the sand on 
the sea shore, begat a son, who was called Tii, and 
a daughter, who was called Opiira. These two, accord¬ 
ing to their tradition, were the father and mother of 
mankind. 
But the most circumstantial tradition, relative to the 
origin of mankind, is one for which, as well as for much 
valuable information on the mythology and worship of 
the idols of the South Sea Islanders, I am indebted to the 
researches of my esteemed friend and coadjutor, Mr. Barff. 
According to this legend, man was the fifth order of 
intelligent beings created by Taaroa and Hina, (of 
whom an account will hereafter be given,) and was 
called the Rahu taata i te ao ia Tii, ^^The class, or 
order of the world, of, or by, Tii.’^ Hina is reported to 
have said to Taaroa, What shall be done, how shall 
