lished phenomenon in that part of the world. Perhaps the full 
moon may have a validity in scientific significance — a point 
that should be investigated. 
CANNABIS AND CosrRa: This folklore belief is accepted 
throughout this area: the cobra is killed and buried; Cannabis 
seeds grown on this site are presumed to yield extremely potent 
forms of marihuana, which is used for medicinal purposes, 
especially for tuberculosis. Such sites are naturally not com- 
mon, since such utilization would be limited to medicinal use. 
It demands, however, a scientific analysis of this folklore be- 
lief, since there may be other chemical substances of signifi- 
cance, in addition to tetrahydrocannabinol, which possess 
medicinal potentialities and which may be affected by this 
treatment of the soil. 
BHANG CHEWING: It is acommon practice among travellers — 
especially porters and caravans in the high Himalayan country 
— to chew bhang leaves during their journeys at high eleva- 
tions. I came across a lonely traveller at about 10,000 feet, 
riding his mule (Plate IV) and fully equipped with Cannabis 
preparations to be used during his arduous journeys. The chew- 
ing of Cannabis leaves in the Himalayas may well be compared 
to the use of coca leaves in the Andes. 
BHANG SMOKE AND CHILDBIRTH: In the mountains and in the 
plains of Panjab and adjoining Pakistan, smoke in the room or 
house at childbirth from burning bhang seeds is considered to 
be aritual that drives off bad spirits and thus ensures health and 
luck to the new-born. Seeds are burned in an earthenware pot 
at regular intervals in the mornings and evenings. Again it 
seems obvious that this practice may have significance in 
suggesting the use of Cannabis seeds as a vermicide. 
I visited a small, isolated village in the foothills of the Hima- 
layas: a village with the reputation of Cannabis of great narco- 
tic strength. An exotic, religious fair, well attended, is held 
annually in the nearby forested grove inhabited by a few reli- 
gious mendicants. Bhang products are collected just before the 
onset of the Monsoons — a month earlier to be precise — since 
it is at this time of the year when the highest quality bhang is 
produced. After the rains, according to reports, the strength is 
diluted. There may be some logic to this folklore: tetrahydro- 
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