No. 2371. CATALOGUE OF BUDDHIST ART— CASANOWICZ 345 



(vajra), a bow and arrow, a club or ax. Originally the gooddess of 

 dawn, she was coupled with the myth of the primeval productive 

 sow. She is also considered as the consort of the demon-general 

 Tamdrin (Hayagriva, see No. 158), and is believed to be incarnated 

 in the abbess of the convent of Palti Lake in Tibet. Height, 3 inches; 

 width, 2£ inches. Tibet. (Cat. No. 311795, U.S.N.M.) Bequest of 

 Miss Elizabeth S. Stevens. 



336. Charm (copy). — Consisting of a diamond-shaped lattice frame, 

 attached to a bamboo pole and having various structures and carvings 

 of fishes fastened to it. It is set up in a corner of the rice field before 

 the planting of the rice. The carvings of the fishes represent Buddha 

 in one of his incarnations as a fish (compare also, for the signification 

 of the fish, No. 197). After this charm has been set up nine stalks of 

 rice are planted. As each rice stalk is planted the formula: Namo 

 tasso bhazarato arahaio sammasam-buddhassa is repeated, and an offer- 

 ing of flowers, rice, curry, and chicken meat is placed on a stand be- 

 neath the fishes. The whole area is then fenced in and remains 

 sacred until the rice is harvested. Height, 32 inches. Laos, Further 

 India. (Cat. No. 217667, U.S.N.M.) 



337. Charm. — Consisting of a bamboo cylinder, lacquered and gilt, 

 strung on a cotton cord. Laos, Further India. (Cat. No. 217644, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



338. Charm. — Consisting of stone, copper, and zinc beads, and a 

 crystal of pyrites strung on a cotton cord. Laos, Further India. 

 (Cat. No. 217645, U.S.N.M.) 



339. Amulet (peck-che, seng-die). — Consisting of a black stone, 

 polished, with concave sides. "The possessor of this stone is pro- 

 tected against wounds by bullets, knives, swords, and remains well 

 and happy." One-half of an inch square. Laos, Further India. 

 (Cat. No. 217646, U.S.N.M.) 



340. Amulet, "lucky crystal." — Protecting against evil influences. 

 Laos, Further India. (Cat. No. 217648, U.S.N.M.) 



341. Amulet. — Consisting of a knot of palm leaf, inscribed with 

 auspicious sentences. It is tied around the neck of children to pro- 

 tect them against evil influences. Laos, Further India. (Cat. No 

 217649, U.S.N.M.) 



342. " Naga cloth." — Piece of cotton cloth, painted with circles, 

 squares, and pyramidal figures between the winding coils of serpents 

 (Nagas) or dragons, and inscribed with incantations. It is to "pro- 

 tect against all manner of evil and bodily harm, and, kept in the 

 house, it protects against fire." Length, 48 inches; width, 36 inches. 

 Laos, Further India. (Cat. No. 217650, U.S.N.M.) 



343. "Naga cloth." — Piece of cotton, with a large magic square in- 

 closing a serpent or dragon in the center, and four smaller squares 



