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



It is also commonly believed that those who plant arecanuts 

 will be subjected to nervousness or shivering fits. 



As regards the plucking of fruits, the Sinhalese have a 

 popular belief that the plucking of dates is a cruel act, 

 because by that means the birds are deprived of a favourite 

 food, while those who pluck do not gain much profit. 



When chewing betel people generally break off the ends, 

 the pointed apex and the piece of petiole at the base. It is 

 supposed that the petiole is to some extent poisonous, as the 

 betel is said to have been originally brought from the Naga 

 world, and that when a naga (cobra) was bringing it hither it 

 held the stalk in its mouth ; while the apex is thrown away 

 because it is considered to be below one's dignity to chew it. 



The hair-like lichens which are met with on the stems of 

 jungle trees are called " Devil's-hair," and it is said that devils, 

 when they walk about with their legions in these unfrequented 

 jungles, leave them there. 



The Diya-talaya (Maxtixia tetrandrd) tree is considered to 

 be a plant which grows in places where there is water below 

 and the name itself signifies a water-vessel. In boring wells 

 the tree is taken as a sign of success. The same properties 

 are ascribed to the Kumbuk {Terminalia tomentosa) tree. 



Snakes are said to love sweet-scented trees and flowers. 

 The sandalwood tree is popularly associated with snakes, 

 which are said to encircle its stem ; and the screwpine flower 

 is also said toharbour them. 



The Tora (Cassia tora), wherever found growing, is con- 

 sidered to be a sign of the fertility of the land, while a village 

 where this plant is not found is popularly held in contempt. 

 Children when touched by the nettle (Girardrini apalmata) 

 usually resort to a Tora plant and rub its leaves on the part 

 of the body touched, .repeating "Tora kola vise neta 

 kahambilydye vise eta" " Tora leaves are the stingless : 

 kahambiliyd leaves (nettles) sting." 



Another form of superstition is the kema, when the 

 applier of a medicine, which consists generally of the part of 

 a plant, keeps perfectly silent all the time till he finishes his 

 treatment. This sort of treatment is known as a kema. 



