284 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTORY. [Book XXVIII. 



even ? Some there are, too, who think it a point religiously 

 to be observed to mention the name as well of the person whom 

 they salute. 



And then, besides, it is a notion 49 universally received, that 

 absent persons have warning that others are speaking of them, 

 by the tingling of the ears. Attalus 50 assures us, that if a 

 person, the moment he sees a scorpion, says " Duo," 51 the rep- 

 tile will stop short, and forbear to sting. And now that I am 

 speaking of the scorpion, I recall to mind that in Africa no one 

 ever undertakes any matter without prefacing with the word 

 " Africa ;" while in other countries, before an enterprise is 

 commenced, it is the practice to adjure the gods that they 

 will manifest their good will. 



In addition to this, it is very clear that there are some 

 religious observances, unaccompanied by speech, which are 

 considered to be productive of certain effects. Thus, 52 when 

 we are at table, for instance, it is the universal practice, we 

 see, to take the ring from off the finger. Another person, 

 again, will take some spittle from his mouth and place it with 

 hj| finger behind the ear, to propitiate and modify disquietude 

 oraiind. When we wish to signify applause, we have a proverb 

 even which tells us we should press the thumbs. 53 When pay- 

 ing adoration, we kiss the right hand, and turn the whole 

 body to the right : while the people of the Gallic provinces, on 

 the contrary, turn to the left, and believe that they show 

 .mere devoutness by so doing. To salute summer lightning 

 with clapping of the hands, is the universal practice with all 

 nations. If, when eating, we happen to make mention of a 

 fire that has happened, we avert the inauspicious omen by pour- 

 ing water beneath the table. To sweep the floor at the moment 

 that a person is rising from table, or to remove the table 

 or tray, 64 as the case may be, while a guest is drinking, is 

 looked upon as a most unfortunate presage. There is a treatise, 



49 In France and England, at the present day, this notion, or rather, per- 

 haps, the memory of it, is universally to be found. If the right ear tingles, 

 some one is speaking well of us ; if the left ear, the reverse. 



50 King Attalus Philometor. See end of B. viii. 

 si "Two." 



52 This passage, it is pretty clear, ought to follow the preceding one, 

 though in the Latin it is made to precede. 



53 The thumb was turned upwards as a mark of favour, downwards, as 

 a mark of disfavour. 64 ** Repositorium." 



