of Edinhiorgli, Session 1883-84. 
335 
legs, and is believed to strengthen him, to preserve him from danger, 
to make his enemy “see crooked,” or to enable him to slip out of 
his hand, just as the stem of the plant slips like soap when it is 
grasped. With this idea mothers frequently apply this plant to 
their sons. Sometimes also they sprinkle the boys with water, with 
a similar notion. 
Omens are believed in. One of the most common is sneezing ; 
it appears to forebode good or evil, according to what is being said 
at the time, producing a contrary effect to what is expected. Trip- 
ping one’s foot against any thing is considered ominous. To trip on 
the same foot twice on the same day is a bad sign, once on each 
foot is a good one. Some people consider one of their feet lucky, 
one unlucky. It is thought to be unlucky to return by the same 
road that a man goes by, both for long journeys and short walks ; 
a different route is always chosen when possible. 
Odi . — There appears to be a belief in the existence of elves or 
spirits, though this would seem to be an invention of the female 
doctors to gain a hold on the people. “ Odi ” is the name by which 
these beings are known. They are supposed to live underground, 
and their help is sought in cases of illness among children. 
If a child is ill, the lady doctor first examines it, and then retires 
to a quiet spot at a distance from the hut, where she erects a 
miniature hut of sticks and grass. She is followed to this place by 
the mother and one of her little boys, laden with a pot of food and 
a live fowl. She then proceeds to invoke the Odi to appear, but 
often gives out that they cannot come till the next day, being busy. 
At last they make their appearance inside the small hut, but are 
visible to none but the doctor, others only hearing them speak. 
Two usually appear, a male and a female, more than that number 
refusing to come at once. The doctor says they have human faces 
and serpent’s bodies. She pretends to give them food to eat out of 
the pot, and asks their aid towards the sick child’s recovery, shaking 
all this time her magic wand or rattle. When they have had 
enough food they vanish, and the doctor falls down right over the 
small hut. She strikes the ground with her hand, and appears to 
have a fit, unconsciousness lasting a few minutes. Before falling 
she tells the mother and boy to run home as fast as possible, and 
shut the door. A strong women is always present at this incanta- 
