[291] For the same reason that prompted similar proceeding among the Norsemen, an influence still alive in many parts of our own country. Cf. Mitchell, Past in the Present. An instance is reported from Hampshire within the last few years of a child’s toys being broken on its grave. (Read, Folklore Journal, vol. xxii. p. 322.)
[292] Ratzel, ii. 155.
[293] Shaman is in more general use among Americans. It should be remembered that the Zaparo, with whom Simson mentions the shimano (Simson, pp. 174-5, 177), have had considerably more intercourse with western civilisation than the tribes away from the Napo line of communication.
[294] Vol. xxiv.
[295] “The chief ‘medicine’ of the Payes on the affluents of the Amazon, both northern and southern, and on the Orinoco” (Spruce, ii. 436).
[296] Crevaux, p. 300.
[297] im Thurn, p. 312; Wallace, p. 347; Crevaux, p. 299.
[298] im Thurn, p. 368.
[299] Spruce mentions Barré Indians “sucking out the rheumatism” from each other’s shoulders (Spruce, ii. 435).
[300] I am unable to say whether the medicine-man believes that an actual stick has been literally in the patient’s flesh, or whether he believes that the stick concealed in his mouth becomes a habitation for the supernatural power causing the sickness, or if he merely does the whole thing to impress his audience, and confirm their belief in his magical powers. Quite possibly all these reasons combined in varying degrees are present in any case. See Marett, Anthropology, p. 247.