Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 23, 1912.djvu/246



With reference to the arrangements for use by members of the Society's Library, now housed at University College, London, I am directed by the Council to state that a catalogue of the books is in preparation, and that an announcement of the conditions of use will be made as soon as the catalogue has been completed. Gifts of books and pamphlets on folklore and kindred subjects will be welcomed. I am also directed to draw the attention of members to the holding at Geneva in the first week of September, 1912, of the fourteenth meeting of the Congrès International d'Anthropologie et d'Archéologie préhistoriques, when opportunity will be afforded for the discussion of the many important discoveries made since the last session, at Monaco in 1906, and for excursions to places of scientific interest. Particulars may be obtained from the general secretary of the Congress, AL W. Deonna, 16 Boulevard des Tranchées, Geneva. , Secretary.

Symbolic extinction of household fire.—In Montenegro, when the last male of a family was shot, it was customary for the chief woman of the house to throw water on the hearth and extinguish the fire as a symbol of the extinction of the family. The custom