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



always indicate devils who are noted for their evil disposi- 

 tions, and the commonest flower thus used is the Rat-mal 

 (Jxora coccinea) . In these ceremonies young cocoanut leaves 

 and plantain stalks are commonly taken, and sticks from 

 bitter (Aurantius) plants are used as the magic wands, 

 commonly known as the arrows, or the i-gas. Limes are 

 cut after various charms to cure diseases and to drive away 

 evil spirits, and these fruits are sometimes burnt, after they 

 are cut, in a fire made of five kinds of bitter woods. 



Again, we meet with different kinds of creepers and leaves 

 used in these ceremonies. There are said to be one 

 hundred and eight varieties. The leaves of the mango tree 

 are used to drive away evil spirits. Betel, rice, and 

 flowers are also used as offerings to the devils. Trees which 

 grow to a large size, as Erythrina, Bo, Nuga, &c, are 

 considered to be the abodes of a certain class of spirits. 



Various Phenomena in Trees,. &c. 



The flowering of a Tola tree (Corypha umbraculifera) is 

 considered to bring misfortune to the village in which it 

 occurs, and any unusual appearances in trees are considered 

 also to bring on evil results. To avoid danger on the- 

 occurrence of such phenomena the devil-priests perform a 

 ceremony known as gard-yakuma. 



Again, when certain epidemics prevail in villages, pol- 

 geliuma (cocoanut-fighting) is resorted to. In this ceremony 

 the people in the village divide themselves into two parties,, 

 and assemble at a certain spot, taking with them a 

 number of nuts, and each party in turn hits the cocoanut 

 which the other side throws, till all the nuts of one party are 

 broken. The other thus wins, and the people parade the 

 village in procession chanting certain verses and invoking the 

 aid of deities to prevent any catastrophe occurring. 



Even in the planting of trees there are various super- 

 stitious beliefs. First, it is understood that plants which are 

 expected to bear fruit should be put in the ground in the- 

 forenoon, and those which produce yams in the afternoon,. 



