40 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [February, 1909. 
plank, it is placed, with all the gifts for the journey mentioned 
above, inthe grave. The wife is allowed to enter and remain till 
the last moment. Then around and over the body, to prevent 
any earth from touching it, is built a stone wall. After filling 
up with earth the ‘‘ sherra ’’ is again called to place a pole above 
the mound, while others place six prongs of wood around a 
small hole made in the mound, wherein is placed a pine torch. 
On lighting this they all leave the grave and enter the house. 
Here all fires have been put out, and all ashes cleared, and on their 
entering, fresh fire is brought from another house near by. 
Around this fire the family sit and await for any sign in the fire- 
place, such as the print of a foot, to see if there are any more 
deaths to be expected. If there are none it is a favourable sign 
fortunately. As a final wind-up for the night, the relations por- 
tions of meat is cooked and partly eaten, along with the rice and 
vegetables left over from the morning’s feast. At the same 
time, small portions in six or five pieces. with a small quantity 
of beer, is offered to ‘‘ kameo’’ near the bed of the deceased by 
the nearest relation. Next morning and evening the pine torch 
ar 
represent 
matter remains quiet until 
For infants also this arrangement 
a landmark, and whi 
The night before, a cow is 
only, half of the intestines taken by the relations, and the 
