He is equally overcome with fright at the appearance of a rainbow, or at a shock of earthquake.
The Sakais have no idols of any kind, but they have great faith in the amulets which they make themselves by incising upon their combs and hair-pins (as before written) the form of certain plants, fruits, leaves and roots that they are fully persuaded are possessed of prodigious virtue.
In fact when a storm is approaching and the wind begins to agitate the forest, before commencing their usual invocations, both men and women hasten to stick in their hair all their combs and hairpins with the firm conviction that the wind, blowing upon these miraculous carvings will lose its power to do them harm.
Trap for big game.
p. [184].
Here it must be observed that, apart from the superstitious character of the fear the Sakais (especially those of the hills) have of the wind, this terror may be said to be almost justified.
The impetuous currents of air coming from below often bring amongst them the germs of various infections and in particular malarial fevers.