27^ TKAVELS IN THE 
xreated, the Pagan natives, as well as Mahomedans, say a 
short prayer; and this seems to be the only visible adoration 
which the Kafirs offer up to the Supreme Being. This prayer 
is pronounced in a whisper; the party holding up his hands 
before his face: its purport (as 1 havelDeen assured by many 
different people) is to return thanks to God for his kindness 
through the existence of the past moon, and to solicit a con- 
tinuation of his favour during that of the new one. At the 
conclusion, they spit upon their hands, and rub them over -their 
faces. This seems to be nearly the same ceremony, which pre- 
vailed among the Heathens in the days of Job.* 
Great attention, however, is paid to the changes of this 
luminary, in its monthly course ; and it is thought very un- 
l^jcky to begin a journey, or any other work of consequence^ 
iii the last quarter. An eclipse, whether of the sun or moon, 
is supposed to be effected by witchcraft. The stars are very 
little regarded ; and the whole study of astronomy appears to 
them as a useless pursuit, and attended to by such persons only 
as deal in magic. 
Their notions of geography, are equally puerile. They ima- 
gine that the world is an extended plain, the termination of 
which no eye has discovered ; it being, they say, overhung 
with clouds and darkness. They describe the sea as a large 
river of salt water, on the farther shore of which is situated a 
country called Tobaubo doo ; " the land of the white people." 
At a distance from Tobaubo doo, they describe another country, 
-.- ; „. .. . * Chap. xxxi. ver. 26, 27, 28^ 
