THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
398 
aloud in the night-time with a voice something resembling 
the barking of a dog. 
The progress of civilization and the removal of super- 
stitious fears among the Ceylonese are greatly opposed by 
the interested arts of their priests ; and they well know 
how to make the devils forage for them. To prevent fruit 
being stolen, the people hang up certain grotesque figures 
around the orchard and dedicate it to the devils, after 
which none of the native Ceylonese will dare even to touch 
the fruit on any account. Even the owner will not venture 
to use it, till it be first liberated from the dedication. 
For this purpose, they carry some of it to the pagoda, 
where the priests, after first receiving a certain proportion 
for themselves, remove the incantations with which it was 
dedicated. If any part of the fruit, after its dedication 
has been stolen by some of their less scrupulous neighbours, 
they break out into the most extravagant execrations against 
the devils who have been base enough to betray the pledge 
entrusted to their charge. 
The superstitious fears and ceremonies of the Ceylonese 
form the chief part of their devotion towards supernatural 
beings. With regard to what may be properly termed 
their religion, neither the Europeans nor indeed they them- 
selves seem to have formed any clear idea. Some have 
asserted that it is the same with that of the Hindoos with 
only a slight variation of forms and names. Nothing how- 
ever is easier than to trace resemblances between religions 
