Note 519 — Chapter V · SYMBOLISM OF THE MOTHER AND OF REBIRTH
Beatrice M. Hinkle translation
Even to-day the country people drive off these nymphs (mother goddesses, Maira) by throwing a bone of the head of a horse upon the roof—bones of this kind can often be seen throughout the land on the farmhouses of the country people. By night, however, they are believed to ride at the time of the first sleep, and they are believed to tire out their horses by long journeys.