1840.] The Hodesum f improperly called Kolehan) , 791 



of boiled rice and meat, dressed in the bridegroom*s house, called 

 '' Jom issin," is brought her, which she touches with her hand, and 

 thereby declares herself of her husband's caste. She is then left in 

 charge of the bridegroom's female relations, and the ceremonies end 

 by all the parties dispersing home, and leaving the happy pair to 

 themselves. 



Signs and Omens. 



If a vulture, crow, Mindanao thrush, Indian magpie, oriole, wood- 

 pecker, partridge, jackal, fox, deer of kinds, hare, bee, sna?|e, espe- 

 cially the Covra, pass behind the Dootam, or messenger, he will die. 



If a Cadis, " toorpoo cheedoo," cross in front of the Dootam .or 

 messenger (negociator), it portends the death of the bride in child- 

 birth. 



Should an ichneumon fly, '' koonkal ho," drag a large spider 

 '' bindee ram," across the road, it portends the bride will be carried off 

 by a tiger the very first time she goes to fetch wood or water. 



The same omen, if a hawk or kite of any kind stoop and carry off 

 a bird, fowl, or lizard, from any side. 



A syrus " hoor, or vulture, deedee" crossing the road flying singly 

 in front, portends the death of the father or mother, according to 

 the sex of the bird — of the bride if near her village, of the bridegroom 

 if near his. 



If the great wood-hawk, ^' booroo queed," hover over head, it fore- 

 tells the death of mother and son at childbirth. 



If the deputation meet a toad, " roto poto chokey," it portends 

 that the bridegroom's father will be bewitched. 



If a flying squirrel, '' oral," call out on the right or left hand, 

 before or behind, the marriage is stopped directly. The same if a 

 parakeet, " meerov," (large ringed kind) scream. 



Should a branch fall from a tree without apparent cause, such as 

 being cut, or rotten, or worm-eaten, it portends the certain death of 

 the parents of both parties. 



If the tumble dung-beetle, "eeooroo," be met with rolling dung 

 along, it threatens poverty and unrequited hard labour. 



If two large lizards, " kaka," are met chasing each other to copulate, 

 it is a sign that the bride's sister, or sisters, will commit some faux 



5 H 



