FROM TALI TO TSEKOU 



ones support twin discs, red and white, which are the sun and 

 moon ; the two middle hands are clasped in prayer ; the two 

 lowest hold, the one gold, the other a spear round which is 

 twined a serpent. On either side of the god is one carrying 

 books and a pen. The right-hand panel represents the Animal 

 Kinof : his countenance is adorned with lon^" moustaches ; he 

 grasps in one hand a sword and in the other a cake or fruit, 

 upon his head a red cap such as is worn by mandarins. The 

 god is seated on a tiger, and at his side stand two priests in 

 long robes, with shaven heads." 



There was a vessel before the panel of the Mountain King 

 containing small bamboo stalks inscribed with two characters, 

 phrases from a religious book ; the credulous who wish to know 

 their destiny shake the vessel and draw forth a stalk, and inter- 

 pret the sentence according to desire. This manner of reading the 

 future reminded one of the usa^e of cutting the Bible at hazard. 



In the centre of the pagoda was hung from the platform a 

 square paper, marked thus — ■ 



The little circles 

 arranged round the 

 square ii, d, c, r/, arc 

 silver, and bear the 

 names of the twenty- 

 eight stars. 



The little circles 

 arranged round the 

 square e,f,g, h, are 

 red, and bear the 

 Kiatse or cycle 

 (names of days). 



The circles i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 contain pictures, i, 3, 4, 5, 7 red, and 2, 6, 8 silver. 

 N 193 



