Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/202

 194 For he would have released Arthur from his spell. Needless to say that he never found his way back to the enchanted hall.—I shall be glad of any references to genuine traditions of a similar nature. It is hardly necessary to point out that the fundamental idea is the same as that of part of the Grail legend. .

—The following notes occur in O'Donovan's recent book, The Merv Oasis (London, 1882).

Idiotcy.—"The inhabitants of Asterabad hold the peculiar belief that the bread made in the town exercises an intoxicating influence upon strangers; and there are trees standing beside one of the numerous streams which traverse the town—centennial cherars (lime trees), with great branching roots arching the channel, which are supposed to bewitch the individual who stands under their spreading boughs after the sun has set. Half-witted people are pointed out among the population, and the Asterabad will tell you, with a grave shake of the head, that 'that is what comes of standing under such-and-such a tree after nightfall.'"— i. 186.

Divination.—"After supper the Khan amused himself with a peculiar kind of divination . . . . . A plate of 'destiny' (fall) was brought in, being only a slab of unbaked earth on which a circle had been traced, and divided by radial lines into twenty-nine sections. Three pieces of straw were placed at random on the divisions, and the Khan, taking a division at haphazard, and counting to the left, repeated the letters of the alphabet, and announced the letters corresponding to the three straws. An old Turcoman interpreted the result, and announced that the party would return the next day with success."—ii. 59.

Wandering Spirits.—"Near the doorway, against the felt wall-lining, is sewn a piece of linen or calico, four or five inches square, forming a pocket for the reception of the bounties of wandering spirits. This they call the tarum."—ii. 141.

Horse Shoe Charm.—"A horseshoe, too, is occasionally to be found nailed upon the threshold."—ii. 141.

Whistling and Ghouls.—"I asked why Makduru Kuli objected to my whistling. 'Is it possible you don't know,' returned the priest,