1865.] On the Boksas of Bijnour. ,173 



has necessarily been left "not proven." Some other enquirer may be 

 able to throw fresh light on tbis subject. 



But, even should these observations answer no very definite practical 

 purpose, still, if my belief that the western Boksas are gradually 

 vanishing be correct, it may be of some interest to have on record 

 their peculiarities while they are still numerous and united enough to 

 deserve and repay attention, and I shall not consider my labour lost, 

 if. in the opinion of those whose views are worth having on such a 

 subject, this end has here been at all adequately fulfilled. 



Religion, Mythology, and Astronomy among the Karens* — By the 

 Reverend F. Mason, D. D., Missionary to the Karen peojrfe. 



[Received 7th September, 1864.] 



Religion. 



The Karens pray more, and make more offerings than the Burmese ; 

 but their only object in these observances is to obtain benefits in the 

 present existence, principally health and prolonged life, so they cannot 

 be regcirded as religious ; while the Burmese make them to procure 

 benefits in a future state, and are therefore a religious people, though 

 by no means so moral as the Karens. 



The Karens believe in the existence of one eternal God, the Creator 

 of heaven and earth, and have traditions of God, and the creation that 

 must have been derived from the Old Testament Scripture. The follow- 

 ing affords a specimen : — 



" Anciently, Grod commanded, but Satan appeared bringing destruc- 

 tion. 



Formerly, God commanded, but Satan appeared deceiving unto 

 death. 



The woman E-u and the man Tha-nai pleased not the eye of the 

 dragon, 



The persons of E-u and Tha-nai pleased not the mind of the dragon, 



* The following pages have been prepared in reply to " Queries respecting 

 the human race addressed to travellers, by a Committee of the British Associa- 

 tion for the advancement of science." 



