That a computation by lunar months preceded the other is evident from the various names of different days in the month, but both computations were evidently far older than the arrival of the Polynesians in the Pacific.

To this may be added that the Polynesians counted time also by the nights—po. Tomorrow was a-po-po (Haw.) lit. the night’s night. Yesterday was po-i-nehi-nei, the past night. Po-akahi, po-alua, etc., the first, the second day. Po was the generic term for day and ao or daylight was but the complement of the full po. Po-a-ao, night and day, etc. This method of reckoning by nights ascends to the hoariest antiquity. The unbroken Aryans counted by nights, and the custom prevailed late into historic times among the Hindus, the Iranians, the Greeks, the Saxons, and the Scandinavians. (Pictet v. 2, p. 588.) The Babylonians believed that the world had been created at the autumnal equinox.—(Lenormant, I, p. 451.) [[331]]

HAWAIIAN AND SAMOAN CALENDAR, COMPARATIVE.

Hawaiian Samoan
Makalii from 20 December to 20 January Utuva-mua
Kaelo from,, 20 January to,, 20 February Utuva-muli
Kaulua from,, 20 February to,, 20 March Faaafu
Nana from,, 20 March to,, 20 April Lo
Welo from,, 20 April to,, 20 May Aununu
Ikiiki from,, 20 May to,, 20 June Oloamanu
Kaaona from,, 20 June to,, 20 July Palolomua
Hinaiaeleele from,, 20 July to,, 20 August Palolomuli
Hilinehu from,, 20 August to,, 20 September Mulifa
Hilinama from,, 20 September to,, 20 October Lotuaga
Ikuwa from,, 20 October to,, 20 November Taumafamua
Welehu from,, 20 November to,, 20 December Toe taumafa

Tahitian names for seasons are: poai, winter or dry season; ruamaoro, the summer solstice in December; ruapoto, the winter solstice in June.

DAYS OF THE MONTH, COMPARATIVE.[1]

Marquesas (Fatuhiwa) Society Isls. (Huahine) Hawaiian
1. Ku-nui Hiro-hiti Hilo
2. Ku-hawa Hoata Hoaka }
3. Hoaka Hami-ami-mua Ku-kahi } la kapu
4. Maheamakahi Hami-ami-roto Ku-lua
5. Maheamawaena Hami-ami-muri Ku-kolu
6. Koekoe-kahi Ore-ore-mua Ku-pau or Ku-ha
7. Koekoe-waena Ore-ore-muri Ole-ku-kahi
8. Poipoi-haapao Tamatea Ole-ku-lua
9. Huna Huna Ole-ku-kolu
10. A’i Ari Ole-ku-pau
11. Huka Manaru Huna
12. Meha’u Hua Mohalu }
13. Ohua Maitu Hua } la kapu
14. Akua Hotu Akua
15. Ohuku-nui Marai Hoku
16. Ohuku-manae Turu-tea Mahealani or Malani
17. Oku’u Raau-mua Kulu
18. Oaniwa Raau-roto Laau-ku-kahi
19. Mekahi Raau-muri Laau-ku-lua
20. Kaau Ore-ore-mua Laau-pau or Kukolu
21. Kaekae-kahi Ore-ore-roto Ole-ku-kahi
22. Waena Ore-ore-muri Ole-ku-lua
23. Haapao Taaroa-mua Ole-pau or Kukolu }
24. Hanaokahi Taaroa-roto Kaloa-ku-kahi } la kapu
25. Wawena Taaroa-muri Kaloa-ku-lua
26. Haapaa Tane Kaloa-pau or Kukolu
27. Puhiwa Roo-nui Kane }
28. Kane Roo-maori Lono } la kapu
29. Oma-nui Mutu Mauli
30. Onamate Terie Muku

[[332]]

NAMES OF MONTHS, COMPARATIVE.

Marquesas (Fatuhiwa)Society Isls. (Huaheine) Hawaiian.
1. Kuhua Avarahu Nana, March, plenty of malolo, flying fish.
2. Katuna Faaahu Welo, April-May, end of winter.
3. Ehua Pipiri Ikiiki, May when the Huhui (seven stars) sets.
4. Nanaua Taaoa Kaaona, June.
5. Oaomanu Aununu 6th mo. Hinaiaeleele, July, when the ohia ai is ripe.
6. Awea Apaapa 7th mo. (May?) Hilinehu (Mahoemua), August.
7. Ehua Paroro-mua Hilinama (Mahoe-hope), September.
8. Weo Paroro-muri Ikuwa, October, end of summer.
9. Uaoa Muriaha Welehu, November.
10. Uahaameau Hiaia Makalii, 6th month—December.
11. Pohe Tema Kaelo, January, nuhe worms hatched.
12. Napea Te-eri Kaulua, February, arrival of anae along shore.
13. Makau Te-tai (Dec.)