Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/66

 58 Journal of American Folk-Lore.

like potency. Thus the survival of the present day gives a glimpse into the prehistoric conceptions of millennials ago. No doubt the usefulness of the cod-bone, as applied to rheumatism, is to be sim- ilarly explained ; the fish being a free-moving animal, the trans- fer of that locomotive power will relieve the rheumatic person. The rabbit-foot will lend the power of swift and successful movement, the mole-foot that of easy excavation of treasure. The special idea will pass over into the general one of conferring good fortune. The wider question, the explanation of the use of amulets in general, although in a measure elucidated by such illustrations, need not here be further considered.

The bringing together of a mass of such items of superstitions renders the work of Mrs. Bergen thoroughly instructive. The field of distinctively negro superstitions the collection does not profess to enter ; the few here contained are inserted only as shared by the whites of the region, or as variants of beliefs also belonging to English-speaking folk. The imperfection and unsatisfactoriness of collections made in England has been pointed out in the review of the first volume, above mentioned, where the principal gatherings have been noted. A full collection of British material would no doubt in a great measure parallel the American collection.

Well-known in folk-lore are the magical powers of human saliva. Throughout the world, from the Australian native to the English in America, threatening demoniacal assault is guarded against by spit- ting. In the United States generally, the belief in the evil eye has a survival in the idea that it is unlucky to meet a cross-eyed person, but that the evil may be averted by expectoration. Children in Boston, according to our author, suppose that the sight of a dead mouse will cause the food eaten at supper to taste of the animal, unless averted by spitting thrice. It was an old New England belief that the view of dead dogs, cats, and the like might give the passer-by the itch if he did not protect himself by spitting three times. In Kentucky, the sight of tawny caterpillars, called "fever- worms," will bring fever ; one must spit on such occasions. So, in Alabama, to spit on a cross-mark exorcises the ill luck consequent on turning back from a journey ; and in Maryland live coals from one fire should not be added to those of another without this pro- tection. In like manner, in Maine, and no doubt everywhere, the bad fortune consequent on the accidental putting-on of a reversed garment may so be banished. So the action is used in cursing enemies.

87. When the ear burns it is a sign that some one is talking about you. Wet the forefinger in the mouth, and rub the ear with the forefinger and thumb, saying about the one supposed to be talking about you : —

�� �� �