Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/236

 2 28 A. W. Moore.

in their sight also. I may mention that, since the visit of the Rev, E. B. Savage, some ardent folk-lorists have evidently been to the well, as I found that the pile of pebbles had almost disappeared.

In conclusion, I would draw attention to the fact that the accounts given of the ritual at these various wells are connected with the cure of disease only, and do not refer to the use of their water as a charm against the wiles of witches and fairies, or to secure good luck. The reason of this is that it is exceedingly difficult to obtain any informa- tion of the use of these wells for such purposes. Those who will readily confess to having resorted to them for the cure of disease will not admit that they had any other object in going to them. I am, however, quite satisfied from indirect evidence that the water of some wells which was considered efficacious for the cure of diseases, was also considered equally efficacious against witches and fairies, and that it was used in accordance with the ritual specified above till quite a recent period.

APPENDIX A.

Analysis of One Gallon of Water taken from Chibber Uney,

February i6t/i, 1894.

Total solid matter

Volatile' organic matter

Chlorine

Iron. Hy. traces.

Free ammonia

Albuminoid ammonia.

Nitrates

Oxygen absorbed in four hours

Phosphoric acid

Total hardness

' The residue after ignition consisted of —

Sulphuric acid )^ Iron, Prot. oxide.

Hydrochloric acid J Lime.

^ ' y^. " \ Traces. Soda.

Carbonic ,, )

. 9.80

grams

. 2.80

>)

(Loss by ignition

. 3-00

jj

. 0.007

))

. 0.0098

>)

. 0.0408

))

. 0.0644

))

. Ml.

. 2.7 degrees.