These sprites are to the Bengâli matron what Old Scratch and Red Nose and Bloody Bones are to English mothers,[231] and when a Bengâli baby is particularly naughty its mother threatens to send for Warren Hastings. Akin to these is Ghoghar, who represents Ghuggu or the hooting of the owl.[232] Nekî Bîbî, “the good lady;” Mâno or the cat; Bhâkur; Bhokaswa; and Dokarkaswa, “the old man with the bag,” who carries off naughty children, who is the Mr. Miacca of the English nursery.[233]

SACRED FIG TREE AND SHRINES.


[1] For some of the literature of the Evil Eye see Tylor, “Early History,” 134; Henderson, “Folk-lore of the Northern Counties,” 187 sq.; Westropp, “Primitive Symbolism,” 58 sqq.; Gregor, “Folk-lore of North-East Scotland,” 8.

[2] “Natural History,” vii. 2.

[3] Ibbetson, “Panjâb Ethnography,” 117.

[4] Lady Wilde, “Legends,” 24.

[5] Campbell, “Notes,” 207.