PETABA, OR SEA DTAK 001)3. 143 



But to watch over the farm and guard it from evils is her special 

 province ; and for this her presence is specially desired. 



" If the mpangau (J-) should hover over it, let her shake at them 

 " the sparks of fire. 



" If the bengas ( 2 ) should approach, let her squeeze the juice 

 '■' of the strong tuba root. 



" If the ants should come forth, let her rub it (the farm) with 

 " a rag dipped in coal-tar. 



" If the locusts should run over it, let her douch them with oil 

 " over a bottle full. 



" If the pigs should couie near, let her set traps all day long. 



" If the deer should get near it, let her kill them with bamboo 

 " spikes. 



" If the mouse-deer should have a look at it, let her set snares 

 "' all the day long. 



" If the roe should step over it, let her set bamboo traps. 



" If the sparrows should peck at it, let her fetch a little gutta 

 " of the / eh along tree. 



" If the monkeys should injure it, let her fix a rotan snare. 



" That there may be nothing to hurt it, nothing to interfere 

 " with it." 



In answer to their entreaty, she replies in a similar way to the 

 JPetaras before mentioned, and pronounces upon them her blessings 

 of success, prosperity and wealth, and skill, as a return for the offer- 

 ing made to her. And thus the Dyak thinks to buy his padi crop 

 from the powers above. 



Lit Andan, as she is preparing to take leave of her worshippers 

 according to the sampi, bestows some charms and magical medi- 

 cines, mostly in the form of stones, and afterwards gives a part- 

 ing exhortation : — ■ 



" Hear my teaching, ye sons of men. 



" When you farm, be industrious in work. 



" "When you sleep, do not be over-much slaves of the eyes. 



" When people assemble, do not forget to ask the news. 



( x ) A kind of bug. 



( 2 ) A peculiar insect destructive to the young padi plants. 



