NO. 42.-1891.] SINHALESE PLANT LORE. 



131 



Superstitions connected with Forests. 

 In different parts of the Island, where there are unexplored 

 jungles, there is a common belief in the existence of what I 

 may call a "god's orchard." The god is said to be Saurian, and 

 " Saman Deviyannage Uyana " is said to exist in the heart of 

 the jungles where no man is able to penetrate. These gardens 

 are said to be replete with all varieties of delicious fruit, which 

 hang on the trees in abundance. It is also said that if 

 a person loses his way in the jungle and wanders about, 

 he generally comes across the orchard, where he can eat 

 any quantity of the fruits, but is not able to take away 

 anything from it ; for if he happens to take any fruit with 

 him he will not be able to find his way out of the garden 

 until he throws it away. 



Effects of certain Plants on Animals. 



We have the Burulla (Leea staphlya\ which is supposed to 

 be a very noxious plant for cattle of all sorts. No cattle-keeper 

 will ever, even in the greatest emergency, use a Burulla stick 

 lor driving his animals. It is also believed that when an 

 animal is hit with one of these sticks it sickens. 



The Burulla plant is considered to be the devil's plant, and 

 in devil ceremonies its leaves are used for decorating the 

 bodies of the dancers. 



The Kuppameniya (Aclypha Indica), another plant, acts 

 like a charm on cats. These animals, when brought in con- 

 tact with one of the plants, get as it were mesmerised, and 

 will not move away for a long time. The popular belief is 

 that the plant is a special medicine for the animal, and hence 

 it loves it so much that it does not wish to leave it. 



Plants in Devil Ceremonies. 

 Plants and flowers are commonly used in devil ceremonies, 

 and flowers of different hues are used in offerings to dif- 

 ferent devils according to certain prescribed rules. White 

 and fragrant flowers, such as Jasmine and Idda ( Wrightia 

 zeylanica), are used for such evil spirits as are supposed to 

 be comparatively mild in their dispositions. Red flowers 



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