618 REPORT—1 896. 
58. Minnigaff, Inch.— When death looked near or when one was dying, 
all kinds of food were taken from the apartment. 
59. Minnigaffi—When one was dying, if there was a cat in the room, 
it was driven out. 
60. Minnigaff, Inch.—When one died the looking-glass was turned or 
covered with a cloth. 
61. Minnigaff-—The clock was stopped when one died. 
62. Minnigaff:—A plate with a little salt was placed on the breast of 
the dead body. 
63. Minnigaff-—A penny was placed on the eye of the dead if it did 
not close. 
64. Inch.—A few friends are always present at the ‘kistin’—i.c., 
when the body is put into the coffin. 
65. Inch.—There used to be wakes. Those present commonly employed 
themselves in religious exercises,—‘read and prayed time aboot.’ Those 
of the ‘ wilder sort’ smoked tobacco and kept themselves in good cheer by 
drinking whisky. 
66. Jnch.—Wine and short-bread are commonly served to those that 
are present at a funeral. 
67. Inch.—The coffin, when the house of death is at a distance from 
the graveyard, is conveyed in a cart to the graveyard. 
68. Inch.—The coffin of a suicide was carried to the graveyard on two 
rough beech branches, and not on the ‘spokes’ on which the coffins of 
those who died a natural death were carried. The coftin was hoisted over 
the wall and buried close under it. The two beech branches were cast on 
the side of the grave next the wall. In later times the coffin was carried 
through the gateway. 
69. Minnigaffi—A suicide was not buried in the graveyard. The 
clothes of the unfortunate were either buried in the grave or burned. 
70. Mochrum.—lIt is believed that if one is ill and about to die, the 
cat of its own accord leaves the apartment in which the patient is lying. 
71. Mochrum.—aA dog’s howling at night forebodes death. 
72. Mochrum.—If£ one was ill and confined to bed, a Bible was placed 
below the bolster. My informant has seen this done. 
73. Wigtownshire (General).—One on setting out on a journey, or to 
transact any piece of business, must not turn back to fetch anything that 
may have been forgotten. 
* 74. Mochrum,—lIt is accounted unlucky to meet a bare-footed woman. 
75. Mochrum.—It is unlucky to meet a hare. (Gamekeeper, Alticry). 
76. Mochrum.—It is unlucky to shoot a cuckoo. (Gamekeeper, Alticry). 
77. Mochrum.—Crows flying high is an indication of coming wind 
and rain. 
78. Mochrum.—Sea-gulls coming inland during the afternoon is a sign 
of rain. (Gamekeeper, Alticry). 
79. Mochrum.—Geese ‘ flaupin’ up the water with their wings when 
they are swimming is a sign of rain. 
80. Mochrum.—oOf the magpie it is said :— 
Yane’s sorrow, 
Twa’s mirth, 
Three’s a beerial, 
Four’s a birth, 
Five’s a ship in distress at sea, 
Six is a love-letter comin’ t’ me. (Gamekeeper, Alticry). 
