34 TREES IN NATURE, MYTH & ART 



certain trees, which they therefore spare. If 

 they are obliged to fell one of these trees, they 

 excuse themselves to it by saying that it was 

 the priests who made them do it. The spirits 

 take up their abode, by preference, in tall 

 stately trees with great spreading branches. 

 When the wind rustles the leaves, the natives 

 fancy it is the voice of the spirit ; and they 

 never pass one of these trees without bowing 

 respectfully, and asking pardon of the spirit for 

 disturbing his repose." 



The tree-spirits, like human beings, may 

 need to be coerced into doing their duty. So 

 South Slavonian and Bulgarian peasants will 

 even now, on Christmas Eve, threaten a barren 

 fruit-tree with an axe. Another man, standing 

 by, intercedes for the tree, saying, "Do not 

 cut it down ; it will soon bear fruit ". The axe 

 is swung three times ; three times is the inter- 

 cession made. The tree is spared ; and, thank- 

 ful to have escaped, and fearing that another 

 time mercy may not be shown, it of course 

 bears fruit in future ! 



The tree-spirits are variously useful. They 

 bring grain, and they make the crops grow. 

 Mr. Frazer's explanation of the latter of these 



