f)8 Fornander Collection of Hatvaiian Folk-lore. 



OF INFLAMED EYES. 



This was one of the signs which had similar interi)retation with that of a hunch- 

 back and the one-eyed. For if a person met another who had running- sore eyes, no 

 good or benefit would be obtained if the former was bent on his own benefits and bless- 

 ings. All the blemishes of a person like this sign, were regular auguries of the order of 

 priesthood. 



OF A DEFORMED FOOT. 



The interpretation of this was the same as the sore-eyed. If a person with a de- 

 formed foot was met with on the road it was a sign of failure, according to the order of 

 priesthood. 



33. OF THE RAINBOW AND THE RAIN. 



These are regular symbols of the order of priesthood indicating destitution and 

 prosperity, privileges and blessings; for to some these were customary signs of want, 

 while to others they were recognized omens of blessing. 



Supposing that a person or persons were brought as criminals or ofifenders, and 

 therefore he or they expected that they would be condemned for the comijlaint preferred 

 against them, but while on the way they encountered a shower of rain, or saw a rainbow, 

 great hopes would come upon the captive that condemnation would not fall on him or 

 them. On the other hand, if the person supposed to be a criminal or oft'ender had hopes 

 only that he had a good claim and right, and that he would not be condenmed by the 

 court that had ordered him up, if he met a shower of rain, or a rainbow, then he could 

 not expect to obtain favorable results on such trip, nor would he be benefited, because the 

 adverse symbols of the order of priesthood were before him hindering his claim. 



34. ONE INTERPRETATION OF THE RAINBOW AND THE RAIN. 



From the viewiwint of some medicine-men rain and rainbows were auspicious, 

 for, said one of the medical priests, "rain is a good thing." If a medical priest was 

 called upon to visit a person, and it was raining at the time the ])atient was being talked 

 about, it was well, and the medical priest promptly showed a willingness to go and ad- 

 minister [to the sick] with a confidence that the patient would recover. There were a few 

 priests, however, who believed in such interpretation of the omens of the order of i^riest- 

 hood ; but in reference to the patient, and the cure, in the opinion of some medical priests, 

 rain was unfavorable to such complaint as herein mentioned. 



If a medical i)riest was called upon to visit a patient who was not weak, and it 

 should rain while the conversation in reference to the sick person was in progress, the 

 priest would say: "The patient will not recover; go back and mourn; it is better to seek 

 one who can effect a cure, for, the rains indicate tears, interjjreting a mourning for the 

 patient." Those who were accustomed to this augur\- of the order of priesthood would 

 not call upon a medical ])riest if they encountered a shower of rain on the way. nor would 

 they send for the remedies if they were in the house when the rains fell. 



Of the rain. This was an omen much more favorable than some others. This 

 was the way a medical priest would answer a call to visit a patient: "You go back; I 



