Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/645

 Notes and Queries. 297

variants differs from the type of the French tale by introducing the feature that the hero has been promised before his birth to a demon or enchanter ; the latter thus offers offspring to a childless father, on condition of receiv- ing one ( two twins, a feature occurring in versions Czech, Mesopotamian, Hindu, and Swahili (Zanzibar). Obviously it is this form which has in- spired the Dakota version, in which the magician is represented by the Great Spirit. The source (presumably European) of the Dakota tale is not evident. It is curious to find the egg as one of the magical objects of the flight among Kafirs (Cosquin, p. 154) ; in this case it produces a fog.

Editor.

Death Signs and Weather Signs from Newfoundland and Lab- rador. — 1. Three lamps lighted together mean death.

Harbor Grace, N F

2. The striking of an old and disused clock signifies death.

Bay Robert and New Harbor, N F, Labrador.

3. If a blind falls down, some one in the house will soon die.

Carbonear, N. F., Labrador.

4. The meeting of congregations coming from church and chapel is a

sign of death.

Carbonear, N. F.

5. Rapping on the side of a house means death.

Nciufoundland.

6. The enlarging of a house by joining together two houses or any en- larging or lengthening, and not widening, signifies death.

Venison Tickle, Labrador.

7. If a girl is married in black, one of the couple will soon die.

Newfoundland.

8. Leaving part of a potato bed unplanted means death within the year.

Venison Tickle, Labrador.

9. A hollow square resembling a coffin seen in a boiled pudding signifies

death.

Bay Robert, X. /•'.

10. The frequent popping out from a lamp in the evening is a sign of

death.

Bay Robert and Trim Bay, N. F.

11. Seeing an absent friend is a " vision " or " token " that one will die

within the year. Seeing him at sunset, however, signifies long life ; at

midday, short life.

Bay R '. X. F.

12. Seeing one's self is a token of long life if you live over that year.

Bay Robert^ X. F.

13. On the death of a first child in a family, all its clothes must be given away, or the succeeding children will die.

New Harbor and Bay Robot, X. F.

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