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JOURNAL, R.A.S. ( CEYLON). [VOL. XXI. 



returned. If it is not so returned, it is against etiquette. 

 When one offers forty betel leaves (two sets) to a headman 

 or a nilame, the giver must first cut the stalks of the 

 leaves, and then approaching, place them with a slight 

 bow in the receiver's stretched out hand, with the stalk 

 end towards him. Saluting should follow this. It is against 

 custom to break these rules and hand over betel in an 

 assembly If a present is to be given for a favour, it must 

 also be placed on betel so given. 



Soon after meals every one must be offered a quid of betel. 

 This is done by placing the betel leaves, chopped arecanuts, 

 chunam, catechu, niyadandu, tobacco, and spices (cloves, &c), 

 neatly on a kind of tray (of metal or wood, sometimes highly 

 ornamented), which is passed round so that every one may 

 select according to his taste. Three different trays must be 

 got ready : the one for the ladies' chamber should either be 

 handed to, or placed near, the chief lady of the company ; 

 the other should be placed near the chief man of the gentle - 

 mens' party ; and the third handed over to the head servant 

 for distribution among them. 



If a wedding party is coming to a house, a messenger 

 should be sent in advance. When the party has come within 

 a call's distance of the house, it should stop and fire a gun 

 once or twice. This will be answered by the inmates of 

 the house when they are ready to receive the party. After 

 this the party should be welcomed by those of the house 

 coming forward, led into the house, and well attended to. 

 The routine of entertainment has already been described. 



When a death occurs in a village, the other villagers on 

 hearing the news should go to the house and condole with 

 that household. If one has an aversion to go to a house where 

 there is a dead body, he should go at any rate as far as the 

 stile, speak to the head of the house, and condole with him. 



Assistance should be rendered towards the cremation, or 

 the interment, of the corpse. If one has anything necessary 

 for the funeral, it is customary to give it free of charge. As 

 soon as the ceremony is over, all wash their heads (applying 

 limes, &c, either green or boiled), bathe well, and go to their 

 several houses ; after which each neighbour brings a covered 



