ON THE ETHNOGRAPHICAL SURVEY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. 477 



as it is the only tree of the kind in the district. It has been cut down 

 oftener than once, but new shoots have sprung up. 



The Hair. 



457. Fortlogan. — If one's hair when cut is burned, it will make him 

 ' that cross that there is nae leevan in the hoose wi' 'im.' 



458. When one's hair is cut, it is carefully gathered up, twisted 

 together, and pushed into the thatch of the dwelling-house. 



459. Kirkmaiden. — When one's hair is cut, it is gathered up, put into 

 a hole of a dyke, so that the birds may not get it. 



460. Fortlogan. — If birds get one's hair and build their nests with it, 

 the late owner of it will have headache as long as the female bird remains 

 ' clocking.' 



Birth. 



461. Kirkmaiden. — The Bible was put below the pillow of a womar^ 

 in travail. (Informant eighty-one years of age.) 



462. Minnigaff. — After the birth of a baby there is a feast called 

 ' The Blythe Meat.' A kebback always forms part of the good things. 

 The father cut a big piece off it, put it on a plate along with a knife, and 

 handed it to the mother in bed. She cut the cheese into small pieces and 

 gave each of the guests a piece. 



463. Kirkmaiden. — At ' The Blythe Meat ' there is always a kebbacfc 

 or cheese, called 'the cryin-out cheese.' The father always cuts it. The 

 first piece cut was always given to the nurse. It was larger than the 

 pieces given to the others present at the feast. (Informant eighty-one 

 years of age.) 



464. Kirkmaiden. — It was the custom for the mother to fetch water 

 from the well for the llrst time after her confinement in a very small vessel, 

 most commonly in her thimble. This was done to keep the baby fronji 

 ' sliveran.' My informant (eighty-one years of age) was told to do this. 



465. Kirkmaiden. — It is unlucky to put the first-born child into a new 

 cradle. (Informant eighty-one years of age.) 



466. A cradle, when taken into a house, is not taken in empty. 

 (Informant eighty-one years of age.) 



467. Balmaghie. — A ci'adle is always taken into, a house with its fooc 

 foremost. 



468. When a cradle is borrowed, something is always put into it. 



469. Kirkmaiden. — The cradle is rocked across the floor with its head 

 towards the door. (Informant eighty-one years of age.) 



470. Laurieston. — The cradle is always placed across the floor. 



471. Kirkmaiden. — A Bible was usually put into the cradle till the 

 child was baptized. 



472. Dairy. — Sometimes a piece of bread and cheese is tied under the 

 baby's dress when about to be baptized. After baptism the bread and 

 cheese are given to the unmarried present at the baptism, who put then> 

 under their pillows to ' dream on.' 



473. Kirkmaiden. — On the occasion of a baptism, when the minister 

 left the house, sometimes an elderly woman would sprinkle part of the- 

 baptismal water over the other childi-en of the family, and ask God to- 

 bless them. This custom is sometimes followed at the present time. 



474. Kirkmaiden. — The one that saw a baby's first tooth had to make 

 the present of a dress. (Informant eighty-one years of age.) 



