of the evil
eye.[1805] This represents a class of cases in which a high and
refined art is being practiced. In parts of Melanesia, and often
elsewhere, a shell or leaf is fastened on the end of the
masculine organ to ward off the evil eye. The same is the purpose
of hanging strips of leather, etc., which catch attention, to
divert it from the organ which is sensitive to the evil eye.
Hence arose the taboo on parts of the body. In some groups in
India, at weddings, women of the bride's and bridegroom's parties
sing songs, each deriding and decrying the other. This is for
luck. "Praise is risky; abuse and blame are safe."[1806] In
Behar, on a certain day, sisters abuse brothers, in the belief
that this will cause them long life and good luck.[1807] In the
Horn of Africa magicians who want to get rid of a man stupefy him
with drugs and sell him into slavery as having the evil eye
(jettatura).[1808] Amongst the Kabyles a husband left alone with
his bride first strikes her three light blows on the shoulder
with the back of his knife to ward off from her the evil
eye.[1809] In India a small object of iron is hung on a cradle
because iron wards off the evil eye.[1810] The jettatura belongs
to persons born at certain periods in the year, or a woman's
behavior during pregnancy may cause her child to have it.[1811]
People are held to be in danger of the evil eye in prosperity and
on festive occasions when they put on fine dress and ornaments.
Witches, beggars, and people of the lowest class have the evil
eye. Diseases of decline are attributed to the jettatura. Cattle
cease to give milk and trees lose leaves on account of it.
Flowers and fruit wither untimely. Gems break or lose
brilliancy.[1812]

+568. Amulets against the evil eye.+ In the Dutch East Indies the
phallus, or the symbol of it, is a charm against the evil eye
which is cast in quarrels.[1813] Roman boys wore a symbol of this
kind. Obscene gestures were supposed to ward off the evil
eye.[1814] In some parts of India a tiger's tooth or claw is an
amulet for the same purpose, also obscene symbols or strings of
cowries. Whatever dangles and flutters attracts attention to
itself and away from the thing to be protected.[1815] Hindoo
parents give their children ugly and inauspicious names,
especially if they have lost some children.[1816] The notion of
the