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



that she was able to pluck and eat as many as she wished ; 

 but when the daughter of the other woman approached the 

 tree the mangoes became very sour and infested with grubs. 

 This also came to the ears of the wicked step-mother, who, 

 'determining to get rid of the tree, pretended ill-health, and 

 entreated her husband to get her the stem of that very 

 mango tree for firewood, when she would get better. This 

 the man proceeded to do, but before it was cut down the 

 transformed mother, with her wonted kindness, instructed 

 Kirihami to possess herself of a small twig, which she said 

 would act as a talisman, and give her whatever she wished 

 for. So the wicked woman's malicious designs against her 

 step-daughter were frustrated, for Kirihami left home and 

 procured for herself all sorts of jewellery and riches, and 

 eventually became the queen of a mighty prince. 



IV.— Superstitions connected with Plants. 



Repeating the Names of Plants, 



There are certain plants which bear fruits which have some- 

 times a bitter taste and on other occasions are quite pleasant to 

 eat. Among these wehdLveth.eDuni?nella(Trichosanthescucu- 

 merina) and Kehiri (Zehenaria umbellata). The popular belief 

 is that the bitterness is felt if the name is pronounced before 

 eating them. So people take special care not to pronounce the 

 names of these plants until they have partaken of the fruit. 



The same belief exists in regard to certain acrid plants, 

 such as Habarala {Alocasia m,acrorhiza). There are several 

 species of Alocasia the yams of which are used as food. 

 When cooked and eaten they generally produce a rasping 

 sensation on the palate, owing to the presence of certain 

 acrid properties. Some varieties are more acrid than others, 

 but cultivation improves them a good deal, making them 

 valuable food products. It is believed that the Alocasia yam, 

 though it be from one of the worst varieties, will not give 

 the rasping sensation if its name is not pronounced by 

 the eater or any one in the eater's hearing. As soon as the 

 name is uttered the sensation comes on. 



