POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
185 
CHAP, VII. 
Station at Maeva—Appearance of the lake and sniTounding scenery^— 
Ruins of templeSj and other vestiges of idolatry—Oeneral view of 
Polynesian mythology—Ideas relative to the origin of the world—• 
Polytheism—Traditionary theogony—^Taaroa supreme deity—Different 
orders of gods—Oro^ &c. gods of the wind, the ocean, &c.—Gods of arti¬ 
ficers and fishermen—Oramatuas, or demons—Emblems—^Images—Urn, 
or feathers—Temples —Worship—Prayers—Offerings^—Sacrifices—Oc¬ 
casional and stated festivals and worship—Rau-mata-vehi-raa Maui-fata 
—Rites for recovery from sickness—Offering of first-fruits—The Pae 
Atua^—The ripening of the year, a religious ceremony—Singular rites 
attending its close. 
As soon as we had acquired a sufficient knowledge of 
the native language to engage in public teachings while 
we alternately performed the regular services at the 
settlement in Fare, we formed branch stations in different 
parts of the island. 
Two were commenced on the west and southern coast, 
viz. one in the beautiful, fertile, and formerly populous 
valley of MahapUy and the other in the extensive district 
of Parea, Schools were opened under approved native 
teachers at each of these places. In the former three 
hundred scholars were instructed by Narii^ a well quali¬ 
fied teacher. The inhabitants erected neat places of 
worship. Mr. Barff performed divine service at each 
station alternately every other Sabbath; and between 
three and four hundred attended, 
2 B 
II. 
