LESSON XXVIII.
THE GODDESS OF VOLCANOES.
(Hawaii.)
On the eastern side of the island of Hawaii is the fertile and beautiful district of Puna. Verdure has clothed with its mantle the hidden rocks which once were a mighty lava-flow from the great volcano.[1] In former days, before the terrible eruption, the district was green as it is at present, and the people of Puna passed happy lives amid the luxuriant vegetation which surrounded their homes. They were disturbed at last in their tranquil enjoyment by the coming of a family of supernatural beings, consisting of five brothers and nine sisters. These were terrible spirits having control over volcanic forces; one having charge of fire, another of steam, another of smoke, another of explosions, &c. Temples were erected, and to propitiate these new and strange deities offerings of fruit and flowers were made and sometimes even human victims were thrown into the fiery chasms wherein these terrible spirits had their abode.
At the time of their first coming, and when the native people had as yet little knowledge
- ↑ Kilauea.
