the Hands that hold it. The God being thus found, to him chiefly
they offer their oblations and sacrifices.

[The Gods of their fortunes.] There are nine Deities, which they call
Gerehah, which are the Planets (reckoning in probably the Dragons
head and Tail.) From whom proceed their Fortunes. These they reckon
so powerful, that if they be ill affected towards any party, neither
God nor Devil can revoke it.

[What worship they give the Planets.] When they are disposed to
worship these Gerehah, they make Images of Clay according to the
number that stand disaffected, towards them, which by certain Magick
Tricks they know these Images, which are made by the Weavers, they
paint of divers colours, of horrible and monstrous shapes; some with
long tusks like a Boar, some with hornes like a Bull, all in a most
deformed manner, but something resembling the shape of a man. Before
them they prostrate Victuals, the sick party sitting all the while
before them. These ceremonies are always celebrated in the night
with Drums and Pipes and dancing until almost day, and then they
take these Images and cast them out into the high ways to be trampled
under foot: and the Victuals taken away and eaten by the attendants,
and despicable people that wait there on purpose.

[What worship they give Devils.] When they worship those whom they
call Devils, many of whom they hold to be the Spirits of some that died
heretofore, they make no Images for them, as they did for the Planets;
but only build a new house in their yard, like a Barn very slight,
covered only with leaves, and adorn it with Branches and Flowers. Into
this House they bring some of the Weapons or Instruments, which are
in the Pagods or Temples, and place them on Stools at one end of
the house, which is hanged with Cloth for that purpose, and before
them on other Stools they lay Victuals: and all that time of the
Sacrifice there is Drumming, Piping, Singing, and Dancing. [Who eat
the Sacrifices.] Which being ended, they take the Victuals away, and
give it to those which Drum and Pipe, with other Beggars and Vagabonds;
for only such do eat of their Sacrifices; not that they do account such
things hallowed, and so dare not presume to eat them, but contrariwise
they are now looked upon as polluted meat. And if they should attempt
to eat thereof, it would be a reproach to them and their Generations.

[Their Gods are local.] These Spirits or Gods are local. For those
which they worsh