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The Astronomical Knowledge of the Maori, Genuine and Empirical

CONTENTS

CONTENTS.

The Whanau Marama. Maori study of the stars. Star-lore and its uses. Sentimental attitude of native mind towards stars. References to heavenly bodies in song. Cosmogonic myths. Origin of the heavenly bodies. Uru-te-ngangana. Astronomical myths. Distribution and regulation of heavenly bodies. The Milky Way. The ara matua. The sun. Tane and Tama-nui-te-ra. The winter solstice. Personifications. The kura hau awatea. Folk-lore. The cult of Tane. Sun-worship. The moon. Hina. Hine-te-iwaiwa. Moon-worship. Rona. Rongo. The Waiora a Tane. Moon connected with women and child-birth. The stars. Star-myths. Heavenly bodies are worlds. Star-worship. The Pleiades. Heliacal rising of stars. Time-measuring. Navigation by stars. Compass-points. Star-names. Notes on stars. Planets. Orion. Magellan Clouds. Venus. Omens. Matariki an important constellation. The Pleiades year. Scorpio. Poutu-te-rangi. Takurua. Whanui. Comets. Origin of fire. Te Manu-i-te-ra. Rongomai. Tunui-a-te-ika. Meteors. Maru. The rainbow. Uenuku. Lightning. Thunder. Clouds. The Cloud Children. Conclusions. Maori love of home-land. The Tatai arorangi. Stars as benefactors. Stars the salvation of deep-sea voyagers.