458 REPORT—1840. 
Religion, Superstitions, &c. 
77. Are tne people addicted to religious observances, or 
generally regardless of them ? 
78. Do they adopt the idea of one great and presiding Spirit, 
or are they polytheists ? 
79. If polytheism exist, what are the names, attributes, and 
fables connected with their deities, and what are the modes in 
which devotion is paid to each? Are any parts of the body 
held sacred, or the reverse? Do they offer sacrifices, and are 
they of an expiatory character, or mere gifts ? 
80. Have they any sacred days or periods? fixed or move- 
able feasts, or religious ceremonies of any kind, or any form of 
thanksgiving or other observance connected with seasons ? 
81. Have they any order of priests; and if so, are they here- 
ditary, elective, or determined by any particular circumstance ? 
82. Is the religion of the people similar to that of any other 
people, neighbouring or remote? If different, are they widely 
so, or dependent on particular modifications, and of what kind? 
83. In what light do they regard the religion and deities of 
neighbouring tribes ? 
84. Is there any idea of an inferior order of spirits and ima- 
ginary beings,—such as ghosts, fairies, brownies, and goblins ; 
and how are they described ? 
85. Have they any notions of magic, witchcraft, or second 
sight ? 
"36. What ideas are entertained respecting the heavenly bodies? 
Have they any distinction of stars, or constellations? and if 
so, what names do they give them, and what do these names 
signify ? 
87. Are they in any manner observed with reference to the 
division of the year, and how ? 
88. If time is not divided by observations of those bodies, 
what other mode is adopted? and do observances connected 
with them rest with the priests or chiefs ? 
89. When the traveller, by personal acquaintance with the 
language, or by means of competent assistance from interpret- 
ers, can freely converse with the people, it will be desirable 
that he should form some idea of their amount of intelligence, 
their tone of mind with regard to social relations, as respects 
freedom, independence, or subserviency, and their recognition 
of moral obligations, and any other psychological character 
which observation may detect ; and more especially such as 
may contribute to an estimation of the probable results of efforts 
to develope and improve the character. 
