280 
STRANGE CUSTOMS OF SAVAGE RULERS. 
if they were to omit the first-fruits of one year’s harvest, the next 
year would be an unproductive one. 
A sacred fire burns continually in his house, and the embers, 
which are supposed to be possessed of great medicinal virtues, are 
sold by him at a high price, so that even his fire is a constant source 
GREAT HERON OF AFRICA. 
of income to him. He has the entire regulation of the minor priests, 
and every now and then makes a progress among them to settle 
the disputes which continually spring up. 
As soon as he leaves his house, the husbands and wives through¬ 
out the kingdom are obliged to separate under pain of death, In 
