THE WOODSORREL. 57 



to search for the treasure at the concluson of every 

 harvest-home feast; and though this practice is 

 forgotten, except, perhaps, now and then by some 

 timid pair, who endeavour to find in their " luck " 

 an assurance of the fulfilment of their wishes, it 

 is still celebrated in the not-forgotten emblematic 

 dance of the Celtic races. This is the reel of the 

 Highlanders, the Meillionen of the Welsh, and 

 the " shamrock-reel " of the Irish ; in all of which, 

 with greater or less variation, they imitate the 

 motions of the harvest-field ; and repeat the tri- 

 umphant shout with which the Segyrffug is sup- 

 posed to be found. First, each dancer, moving 

 singly, gently sways his, or her, arms, as if engaged 

 in sowing corn. This is the hau-hau, or sowing, of 

 the Welsh dance. The partners, then, setting to 

 each other, represent the labours of the harvest- 

 field, where each reaper is necessarily attended 

 by his chosen female " binder ; " a general turning 

 and setting to the other dancers then ensues ; 

 a somewhat tumultuous movement, which is sup- 

 posed to represent the searching for the lucky 

 emblem ; and this being at length found, the whole 

 party, setting up that triumphant shout, so well 

 known in the Highland reel, dance the figure called 

 the figure of eight, which in reality describes that 

 of a regular quatrefoil. This cry, or shout, is sup- 

 posed to announce every kind of future matrimonial 

 happiness.* 



* A full explanation of all these movements may be found 

 in William's " Essays on the Manners and Customs of the 

 Celtic Tribes." 



D 3 



