358 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
distance, to indicate the dominion of the king on the sea, 
and receive the homage of the powers of the deep, they 
returned towards the shore. 
During this excursion, Tuumao and Tahui, two deified 
sharks, a sort of demi-gods of the sea, were influenced by 
Oro to come and congratulate the new king on the 
assumption of his government. If the monarch was a 
legitimate ruler, and one elevated to the office with the 
sanction of the superior powers, these sharks, it was said, 
always came to pay their respects to him, either while he 
was bathing in the sea, or during the excursion in the 
sacred canoe. But it is probable, that when they ap¬ 
proached while his majesty was in the water, some of 
his attendants were stationed round to prevent their 
coming too near, lest their salutations should have 
been more direct and personal than would have proved 
agreeable. 
The fleet reaching the shore, the parties landed, when 
the king was placed on the papa rahi o ruea^ or sacred 
couch of Oro, as his throne; but instead of a footstool, 
the ordinary appendage to a throne, he reclined his head 
on the urua TafeUy the sacred pillow of Tafeu. This was 
also cut out of a solid piece of wood, and ornamented 
with carving. 
The procession was now formed as before, and moving 
towards Tabutabuatea, the great national temple, Tairi- 
moa, bearing the image of Oro, led the way. The king, 
reclining on his throne, or couch of royalty, followed 
immediately after. He was borne on the shoulders of 
four principal nobles connected with the reigning family. 
The chiefs and priests followed in his train, the latter 
sounding their trumpets, and beating the large sacred 
drum, while the spectators shouted Maeva aril I as they 
