1865.] Religion &c\ among the Karens. 229 



one. This she knew contained the gold and silver ; and she was 

 permitted to take it. 



" When about to start, the giantess said : ' When thou reachest black 

 water, comb thy hair and wipe thy teeth. When thou reachest red 

 water, wipe thy lips ; but when thou comest to white water bathe 

 thyself.' She observed the directions given her, and reached home in 

 safety, where the fame of her gold and silver brought together all her 

 friends and relatives ; to each of whom she gave a bowl full. 



" Among those who received a bowl full of silver and gold, was one 

 dissatisfied young man, who coveted more ; so he determined to try his 

 future with the giant, and endeavour to obtain a whole basket full for 

 himself. He succeeded in being adopted into the family, in being 

 allowed to return, and in having the offer of a basket to take with 

 him. He had not looked into the baskets, but like his predecessor he 

 chose the old one. The same charge was given him in regard to 

 crossing the streams, but he paid no attention to his instructions, but 

 dashed across them and got home as quick as possible. On reaching 

 his house, he opened the basket, when to his horror and disappoint- 

 ment, he found the basket full of dead men's skulls. Little time, 

 however, was given him to brood over his misfortunes, for the giant 

 followed rapidly after him, and devoured him on the spot." 



Omens. 



The Karens, like other nations in their ignorance, believe in omens ; 

 and desist from a journey or an undertaking, when they occur. Like 

 the Romans, a snake crossing the path, or a woodpecker tapping, 

 stops a man by the way ; as does the falling of a branch of a tree, or 

 the bleating of the barking deer. Sickness is supposed to be the 

 consequence of non-observance, and a sacrifice is offered for an atone- 

 ment. 



Among the Bghais an elder is called, and all the family assembled 

 together : male and female, young and old. The elder then leads 

 a dog round the assembled family three times, praying as he goes : 

 " When we work, or labour ; when we go, or return ; at the bleat of 

 the barking deer, at the voice of the otter, at the crash of a falling 

 tree, at the sight of a snake, at the sight of a scorpion, at the sight 

 of a large serpent, at the sight of a python, we ought to pause, or 



