NO. 42.— 1891.] SINHALESE PLANT LORE. 135 



The following list includes some of the plants which, when 

 grown near a house, bring misfortune to the occupants : — 



Imbul (Eriodendron anfractuosum). 

 Ruk (Myristica Horsfieldia). 

 Amba (Mangifera indica). 

 Beli (^Egle Marmelos). 

 Ehela {Cassia fistula). 

 Siyambala (Tamarindus indica). 

 Buruta (Chloroxylon Swietenia). 

 Rat-kihiri (Acacia catechu). 

 Etteriya (Murray a exotica). 

 Penela (Sapindus emarginatus). 



Among the Sinhalese astrologers each nekata (lucky 

 moment) is associated with a particular tree. There are 

 twenty-seven of these nekat. 



A firm belief exists that certain signs which a person meets 

 when starting on a journey portend good or evil. Among 

 the products of the vegetable kingdom which are said to be 

 lucky signs some are noted in the following verse, which I 

 quote from the Selalihini Sandesa of Sri Rahula : — 



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Nala mudu suwanda pirikumbu miyuru ambagedi 

 Pulahela kusuma liyapiyatepala rankedi 

 Sala sudu semara sesat gijindu nodawedi 

 Bala suba nimiti peramaga nekatatat wedi. 



Look at thine outsets for auspicious signs 



E'en better than the nekata, white fans, 



Waving umbrellas white, king elephants, 



White flowers in fullest bloom, and sweet-voiced maids, 



Gold pitchers, gentle breezes perfumed, 



Overflowing jars, peacocks, and mango fruits. — Macready. 



Some plants or parts of plants are said to act as talismans, 

 preserving the possessors from the attacks of different 



