280 



STRANGE CUSTOMS OF SAVAGE RULERS. 



if they were to omit the first-fruits of one year's harvest, the next 

 year would be an unproductive one. 



A sacred fire burns continually in his house, and the embers, 

 which are supposed to be possessed of great medicinal virtues, are 

 sold by him at a high price, so that even his fire is a constant source 



GREAT HERON OF AFRICA. 



of income to him. He has the entire regulation of the minor priests, 

 and every now and then makes a progress among them to settle 

 the disputes which continually spring up. 



As soon as he leaves his house, the husbands and wives through- 

 out the kingdom are obliged to separate under pain of death. In 



