16 FILIAL AND PARENTAL DUTY. 



had been done, and the host expected a present 

 in return for his hospitality. 



At such entertainments the moucho-more, a 

 deleterious species of mushroom, was usually 

 introduced, as a mode of intoxication. Taken 

 in small quantities, it is said to excite an agree- 

 able hilarity of spirits; but if immoderately 

 used, it will produce insanity of several days' 

 duration. Animated by these enjoyments, the 

 host and guests found mutual amusement in 

 the exercise of their peculiar talent of mimick- 

 ing men and animals. 



The children when grown up showed little 

 affection for their parents, neglected them in 

 old age, and did not even consider it a vio- 

 lation of filial duty to kill them when they 

 became burdensome. They also murdered their 

 defective or weakly children, to spare them the 

 misery of a languishing existence. They did not 

 bury their dead, but dragged the corpse into 

 the open air, by a thong tied about the neck, 

 and left it a prey to dogs ; under the belief, 

 that those devoured by these animals, would 

 in another world be drawn by the best dogs. 



