Religion and Magic 305 



bamboo and other prolific plants, at this time and at a wedding, pro- 

 mote growth and fertility. 



A piece of charcoal attached to a certain type of notched stick is 

 placed in the rice-seed beds, and thus the new leaves are compelled 

 to turn the dark green color of sturdy plants. 



If a river is overflowing its banks, it can be controlled by cutting 

 off a pig's head and throwing it into the waters. An even more certain 

 method is to have a woman, who was born on the other side of the 

 river, take her weaving baton and plant it on the bank. The water 

 will not rise past this barrier. 



Blackening of the teeth is a semi-magical procedure. A mixture 

 of tan-bark and iron salts is twice applied to the teeth, and is allowed 

 to remain several hours ; but, in order to obtain the desired result, it 

 is necessary to use the mixture after nightfall and to remove it, be- 

 fore the cocks begin to crow, in the morning. If the fowls are heard, 

 while the teeth are being treated, they will remain white; likewise 

 they will refuse to take the color, should their owner approach a corpse 

 or grave. 



On well-travelled trails one often sees, at the tops of high hills, 

 piles of stones, which have been built up during many years. As he 

 ascends a steep slope, each traveller picks up a small stone, and car- 

 ries it to the top, where he places it on the pile. As he does so, he 

 leaves his weariness behind him, and continues his journey fresh and 

 strong. 



The use of love-charms is widespread : certain roots and leaves, 

 when oiled or dampened with saliva, give forth a pleasant odor, which 

 compels the affection of a woman, even in spite of her wishes. 1 



Evil magic, known as garnot ("poison") is also extensively used. 

 A little dust taken from the footprint of a foe, a bit of clothing, or an 

 article recently handled by him, is placed in a dish of water, and is 

 stirred violently. Soon the victim begins to feel the effect of this treat- 

 ment, and within a few hours becomes insane. To make him lame, it 

 is only necessary to place poison on articles recently touched by his 

 feet. Death or impotency can be produced by placing poison on his 



1 Among the ancient Tagalog, charms made of herbs, stones, and wood, 

 were used to infuse the heart with love (Blair and Robertson, The Philippine 

 Islands, Vol VII, p. 194). Similar practices are found in India, among the 

 Selangor of the Malay Peninsula, among the Bagobo of Mindanao and in 

 Japan: see Roy, Jour. Royal Anth. Inst., Vol. XLIV, 1014, p. 337; Skeat and" 

 Blagden, Pagan Races of the Malay Peninsula, p. 312; Benedict, Bagobo 

 Ceremonial, Magic and Myth, p. 220 (Annals N. Y. Acodamy of Sciences, 

 Vol. XXV, 1916) ; Hildburgh, Man, Nov. 1915, pp. 168, et seq.; Trans. Japan 

 Soc, Vol. VIII, pp. 132, et seq. 



