59 
No. XXXI.—SUPERSTITIONS. 
By E. B. TYLOR, Esq., F.R.S. 
Superstitions are customs and beliefs of an absurd or barm¬ 
ful kind. They often belong to tbe class of a survivals/’ being 
old-fashioned habits and ideas retained after their original sense 
has vanished. But, especially among the lower races, they to a 
great extent still carry their original meaning and purpose, which 
may be ascertained best from the old people. When thoroughly 
analyzed, they can be referred to their proper heading, such as 
Magic, Religion, Custom; but it is convenient to keep Super¬ 
stition as an open class for the collection of a number of obscure 
and puzzling usages. 
1. Bo any superstitions prevail as to touching fire, drinking 
water, handling particular objects, &c. P 2. Any ideas of lucky 
and unlucky objects and acts? 3. Prejudices connected with 
sneezing, yawning, spitting, whistling, talking, and any other 
actions P 4. Any curious fancies as to animals P 5. Are ani¬ 
mals treated as rational, and talked to ? 6. Are exaggerated 
stories told of their sagacity and habits P 7. Are special places 
considered lucky or unlucky, and visited or avoided ? 8. Are 
houses or villages ever abandoned or destroyed on account of 
sickness, death, or other cause ? 9. Are there any peculiar ideas 
as to east and west, north and south ? 10. Any remarkable 
notions as to sun, moon, and stars? 11. Are storms, thunder 
and lightning, or darkness the subject of any special prejudices ? 
12. Is there an objection to crossing water, going by particular 
paths, &c. ? 13. Any peculiar customs as to cutting hair and 
nails, leaving articles of clothing about, &c. ? 14. Any super¬ 
stitious usages as to birth and naming of children, period of 
manhood and womanhood, marriage, divorce, sickness, death, 
and burial ? 15. Any other superstitions not included in these 
classes ? 
