172 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
mist or vapour, and are distinguished by the terms 
upper and under, one being above, the other 
below. The bright line of light occasioned by 
innumerable numbers of remote stars, and called 
the via lactea , or milky-way, they denominated the 
long blue cloud-eating shark. But one of the most 
remarkable facts is, that the constellation which in 
Europe is called the Twins, is so named by them ; 
only, instead of denominating the two stars Castor 
and Pollux, they call them Pipiri and Rehua or na 
ainanu , the two ainanus; and, to distinguish the one 
from the other, ainanu above, and ainanu below. 
The following, which is the native legend of 
their origin, is amusing.—The father went by 
torch-light to fish for the marara or flying-fish, 
and, having succeeded, returned to his house. 
His two children, Pipiri and Rehua, were in their 
beds, but not asleep. The mother said, I will go 
and awake the children, (that they may partake.) 
-—Let them not be awoke till morning, said the 
father; are children awakened at night ? By and 
by they will be desiring their food, even now 
perhaps they know of it.—Cups were filled with 
salt-water for each of the children. When the 
fish was dressed, the parents sat down to eat, 
(not in the house, but in the open air, or 
under a distinct roof close by.)—The children, 
who overheard what was passing, thought, When 
they are satisfied, perhaps they will bring ours.— 
As their parents sat, the mother said, I will carry 
this, behold it is cooked. The father objected. 
The children broke through the back part of the 
house, and came and stood on a stone, (since 
called the stone whence the ainanu* fled.) The 
• Ainanu signifies to desire or long for any particular 
kind of food. 
