OF THE MURDERERS m 



and fometimes, alfo, one of Ganb's'a | and the images of a lizard and 

 a fnake, reptiles from which prefages are drawn; together with the 

 implements of Fhdnsigari as a noofe, fenife, and pickaxe, being placed 

 together, flowers are fcattered over ihem, and offerings of fruit, cakes, 

 fpirit. Sec. are made ; odoriferous powders are burned, and prayers 

 are offered for fuccess. The head of the fhecp being cut off", ii is 

 placed, with a burning lamp upon it and the right fore foot in the 

 mouth, before the image of Jayi", and thegoddefs is entreated to reveal 

 to them, whether (he approves of the expedition they are meditating. 

 Her confent is fuppofed to be declared, fhould certain tremulous or 

 convulfive movements be obferved, during the invocation, in the 

 mouth and noftrils, while fome fluid is poured upon thofe parts. But 

 the abfence of thofe agitations is conlidered as indicating the difappro« 

 bation of the goddefs, and the expedition is pollponed. 



About teri^,iQr , twenty day's afterwards, the ceremony is repeated ; 



and, ifaufpicious inferences be drawn from it, the P'hdnsigdrs prepare 

 .to depart. But before they determine towards what quarter to pro- 

 ..ceed, fome perfons of the gang are fent on the high road, in the direc- 



lion they wifh to take, to obferve the flight of crows and other birds, 



.and to liften to the chirping of lizards. Should fuccefs be betokened, 



, the fame path is taken. If the ligns be adverfe, the^^^^r^^ar fends fon:\e 



-of the gang to make obfervations on another road, or at a place where 



*two roads meet; and thefe votaries, of fupcrfl;ition proceed in that di- 



led ion, which promifes, as they infer, the befl fuccefs. 



In the courfe of their progrefs, they obferve the fame fcrupulous 

 regard to omens. Emboldened by favorable ones, they are greatly 

 difcouraged by thofe of an oppofitc tendency. If they have not pro- 

 ceeded far from home, when unlucky figns are defcried, they regard 



1 X 



