The Aborigines of Brazil. 311 



ideas. This unfriendly being is represented under various 

 traditional forms in different tribes. Honour is not paid, but 

 superstitious dread attaches to him : and the Pajes avail them- 

 selves of this. Many tribes have a whole series of evil spirits, 

 others only one. I need not enter further into these mytholo- 

 gical ideas of the Indians ; but cannot help remarking that in 

 the Old Testament, magic is represented as conversation with 

 false gods. 



The idea of impurity also enters largely into the magic of 

 the savage : every thing excreted from the body is considered 

 by the Indian to be impure, and therefore applicable to the 

 foul arts. Certain excretions, such as the spittle and the 

 urine of the magician, play an important part in many cases. 

 The first is considered to be healing and soothing, and as such 

 is applied externally ; the last is used internally, as an ex- 

 citant, and also as an emetic. The air deeply expired from 

 the chest of the Paje, has an enlivening power and virtue 

 against disease, attributed to it.* Connected with these 

 ideas is the belief of the Indians in the injurious influence 

 of women, at the catamenial period, and in the purity and 

 expiatory power of young children and of virgins. 



But, as Gregorio remarked, hatred also plays an important 

 part in the magical and curative processes of the Indians. 

 The multitude commonly fears the Paje as a dealer in the 

 black arts, and there is a degree of hostility in their mutual 

 relations. Among the Abipones the doctor is called plainly 

 Keebit, i. e. devil, as they identify the two. The doctor is as 

 it were a necessary evil to the tribe. f When a patient is 

 once taken under treatment, he falls exclusively into his 

 power. By means of certain magical words or symbols, the 

 doctor gets complete possession of the mind of the patient, 

 withdraws him from all sympathy with his ordinary relations, 

 and places him completely under the influence of his dark 



* This reminds us of certain mesmerist Pajes among white men. — TV. 

 f He is occasionally so to the village in more civilized lands. — 7V. 



