x THE INDIAN HUNTER. 71 



importance. Even where it is only a belief in 

 the success of some peculiar manner of pro- 

 ceeding, we can hardly call the charm worthless. 

 Confidence prevents hesitation, and this con- 

 fidence is given to the Indian when he uses his 

 beenas. 



Because success in hunting is so important, 

 the idea of attracting an animal has also become 

 of the utmost consequence. The beena, or charm, 

 is therefore conspicuous to any one who sees 

 below the surface. But it is not to be supposed 

 that the Indian tells a stranger what he thinks ; 

 a certain amount of secrecy is a part of the 

 charm. The man grows his Caladiums in a place 

 where only himself is likely to go, his wife must 

 not go near them, especially at certain periods ; 

 she also has a few of her own, which are set apart. 



These Caladiums are well known in our nurseries, 

 as natural varieties as well as hybrids. They are 

 common weeds in coffee and cacao plantations, 

 but do not appear in the forest. Probably they 

 have been selected by the Indian in past ages, 

 and perpetuated from their supposed qualities. 

 The leaves vary in shape, from broadly lanceolate 

 through cordate to sagittate, and are generally 

 mottled or spotted with white, pink, or crimson, 

 with suffused crimson centres and various coloured 



