1865.] On the Boksas of Bijnour. 78 
has necessarily been left “not proven.” Some other enquirer may be 
able to throw fresh light on this 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 people. 
[Received 7th September, 1864. | 
Rerieron. 
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 regarded 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, God 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.” 
