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Proceedings of the Royal Society 
of this meat. This custom is by no means universally carried out, 
for one reason, on account of the expense, but a man who thus 
honours his father is much respected. If it should be done by a 
husband in memory of his wife, it is considered to be a mark of 
extreme affection for her, and men will often do it for the sake of 
what people will say. No animals are offered as a sacrifice at 
funerals. 
Superstitions . — The Fors are not particularly remarkable for their 
superstitious beliefs ; other tribes I have visited are far more credu- 
lous. Some strange ideas, however, must be noticed. 
The cry of the owl is believed to foretell a death. It is supposed 
tto say: — “To-morrow a grave will open for some one.” A gazelle 
crossing one’s path is taken as a good omen. To knock one’s left 
big toe against anything on going out in the morning is supposed 
to bring bad luck. It is also very unlucky to forget anything and 
to return for it, especially when going out hunting. It is a very lucky 
thing for any food to fall to the ground when eating. It must be 
picked up and swallowed with any earth that may adhere to it, for 
in the next world, should a man be accused of having starved his 
body, the earth will bear witness that he has fed it. There is a 
great objection to cutting anyone else’s nails, for should the part 
cut off be lost and not given into its owner’s hands, it will have to 
be made up to him somehow or other after death. If a person cuts 
his own nails he bears the consequences of his own acts. The nail 
parings are buried in the ground. If the sound of a drum is heard 
proceeding from Gebel Marah a national calamity is expected, or 
the defeat of an army, should the tribe happen to be at w T ar at the 
time. It is supposed that an old woman who has always been 
faithful to her husband has power over fire, and that should a 
village take fire her presence will stop the flames. Such women 
are, however, few and far between. When several deaths occur 
about the same time in one family, it is thought to be due to 
falsehood or perjury on the part of one of its members. It is very 
unlucky for a bride to pass under a large tree or to cross a broad 
road unless she wears an amulet to protect her from the zittan. 
Cups made of rhinoceros horn are supposed to detect poison in 
water, beer, or wine, the fluid changing colour; to give one of 
these cups to a friend is the highest honour that can be paid to him. 
