Note 127.2 — Chapter X · WITCHCRAFT: PHILTRES—PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL LEECHCRAFT.

Repeating this four times (four is a sacred number among the American aborigines), he moistens his fingers with saliva and rubs it on her breast. The ceremony is reiterated, with variations in the song, the three following nights, and is wound up on each occasion with a prayer addressed to the “Ancient One;” after which no husband need have any fears about his wife.127.2 In Silesia and in certain parts of Italy bread whereon one has spit is given to a dog to attach him to the giver.127.3 In other parts of Italy, in Corsica and in the Gironde the direction is to spit into his mouth.127.4 About Chemnitz a goose is passed between the legs thrice and given three mouthfuls of chewed bread; and she will always come home.127.5