PROVISIONAL REPORTS AND NOTICES. 339 



State whatever particulars, respecting their origin and historj'^, are derived 

 either from traditions among themselves or from other sources. 



Religion, Superstitions, ^c. — 77. Are the people addicted to religious 

 observances, or generally regardless of them ? 



78. Do they adopt the idea of one great and presiding Spirit, or are they 

 polytheists ? 



79. If polytheism exist, what are the names, attributes, and fables con- 

 nected with their deities, and what are the modes in which devotion is paid 

 to each ? Are any parts of the body held sacred, or the reverse ? Do they 

 offer sacrifices, and are they of an expiatory character, or mere gifts ? 



80. Have they any sacred days or periods ? fixed or moveable feasts, or 

 religious ceremonies of any kind, or any form of thanksgiving or other 

 observance connected with seasons ? 



81. Have they any order of priests, and if so, are they hereditary, elective, 

 or determined by any particular circumstance? 



82. Is the religion of the people similar to that of any other people, neigh- 

 bouring or remote ? If different, are they widely so, or dependent on parti- 

 cular modifications, and of what kind ? 



83. In what light do they regard the religion and deities of neighbouring 

 tribes ? 



84. Is there any idea of an inferior order of spirits and imaginary beings, 

 — such as ghosts, fairies, brownies, and goblins ; and how are they described ? 



85. Have they any notions of magic, witchcraft, or second sight ? 



86. What ideas are entertained respecting the heavenly bodies ? Have 

 they any distinction of stars, or constellations ? and if so, what names do 

 they give them, and what do these names signify ? 



87. Are they in any manner observed with reference to the division of the 

 year, and how ? 



88. If time is not divided by observations of those bodies, what other mode 

 is adopted ? and do observances connected with them rest with the priests or 

 chiefs ? 



89. When the traveller, by personal acquaintance with the language, or by 

 means of competent assistance from interpreters, can freely converse with the 

 people, it will be desirable that he should form some idea of their amount of 

 intelligence, their tone of mind with regard to social relations, as respects 

 freedom, independence, or subserviency, and their recognition of moral ob- 

 ligations, and any other psychological character which observation may de- 

 tect ; and more especially such as may contribute to an estimation of the 

 probable results of efforts to develope and improve the character. 



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