188 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [August, 1905. 
(the great feast or food). It is supposed to be formed by the 
convenanting parties partaking together of some of the food cooked 
and sold at Jugganath, and brought home by returning pilgrims. 
As a matter of fact Mahaprasad now means anyone who has sworn 
to bea life-long friend. These friendships are also formed with the 
use of Ganges water brought home by pilgrims. In this case the 
friendship is known as Gangd@jal. 
Then, again, any flower may be employed, and the friendship 
would be termed merely phul (flower). This is usually the 
case amongst women. Hach party places a flower in the ear 
of the other and the friendship is formed. If some particular 
flower is used that flower gives the name to the friendship. In 
all these bonds of friendship, it is incumbent on the promising 
parties to refrain from taking the name of his friend, and they 
call each other Mahaprisad, Gangajal, Douna (Artemisia vul- 
garis or Indian wormwood) or merely Phul. It is astonishing 
how very binding these friendships are considered. After an 
acquaintance with the people of 14 years I can recall only one 
instance 1n which such a friendship was broken. Like David 
and Jonathan, the parties stand by each other, they are bound 
together for better or for worse, etc., etc. In has been hinted to 
me tliat these friendships sometimes result in a community of 
possessions extending even to a community of wives. in this 
connection it is interesting to note what is done when one of the 
friends happens by forgetfulness or necessity to take the friend’s 
name. He will go to his friend and say, “Vor dowki mor dowka, 
gendi gajla phul.” These words may have two meanings and 
have been interpreted both ways tome. They may mean, ‘‘ Your 
wife and my wife are a garland of marigold flowers;” or they 
may mean, “ Your wife is my wife, a garland of marigold flowers.” 
By repeating this couplet to his friend itis supposed the offending 
one makes propitiation for his offence. 
64. Concerning Witches, Fairies, etc.—(1) There is a belief 
that witches sometimes have an insatiable desire for human 
blood, and they can suck blood from the navel of a child with- 
out anyone knowing it. As a result the child becomes ema- 
ciated and dies. There was once a Telin witch who was possessed 
by this desire for blood, and not being able to suck the blood 
from the navel of any other child she was compelled to draw 
blood from her own infant. If an adult also should suddenly 
become emaciated and loose flesh, it is said that a witch has sent 
down a long tongue or tube from the roof of his house when he 
was asleep and has drawn blood from his navel. In order to regain 
strength it is necessary to eat a small kind of fish found in 
the rivers. Also to eat a kind of rice. (2) If a child is 
believed to be possessed by a witch or an elf, it is customary 
for the parants to take a bangle and a tassel worn at the end of 
a plait of hair by women and to tie these articles to a twig of 
the Baer tree (Jujuba vulgaris). The Baer tree is supposed to 
be the special residence of witches, or elfs or other invisible 
beings. (3) According to Bates’ Hindi Dictionary, the word Pret 
