Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/176

168 wild-hog was both astonished and angry, and ran off fast again. But again the chameleon held fast by his mane as before.

And so, after they had thus gone to and fro for a long time, the wild-hog was dead with fatigue, while the chameleon retained his shrewdness; for the wild-hog was "killed by his strength, like the axe," and did not think of the cunning of his companion, but only of his own size.—(Translated from a contribution to Publications of the Malagasy Folk-Lore Society, by Rev. W. C. Pickersgill.)

NTERMENTS in Greece must take place within twenty-four hours after decease, and therefore, as soon as possible after the event, printed placards are posted on the walls of the church in which the customary funeral-rites are to be performed, and in various parts of the city, town, or village, as also upon the door of the house in which the death has occurred, inviting all friends and relations in the names of the family of the departed (all the different members of which are specified) to assist at the ceremonial. The body of the deceased is always arrayed in the choicest garments he or she possessed, the greatest care being taken that it should present the best appearance possible. This is the more essential because the body is displayed in an open coffin, borne upon a low bier, and is therefore in its transit first to the church, and subsequently to the cemetery, exposed to the gaze of all.

In the chamber in which a death takes place candles or lamps are immediately lighted, and kept burning for three days and three nights afterwards, it being supposed that the spirit of the departed still lingers for that time in the precincts of its old abode, or may probably return there. In some parts, as in Crete not long since, in the outlying districts, food and drink was also placed near the body in the interval before the burial, lest the spirit, if it returned, might feel grieved at being neglected and forgotten.