same time praying the _busau_ to "take the present and do not let any of
our party fall sick or be injured on the journey." It is also customary
for a man who wishes to buy anything or to make a trade, first to make
an offering of betel-nut to the spirit of some rich man, and to ask his
help in the venture.

Some new clearings are cut in the jungle each year, after the
constellation _Balatik_ has risen out of the sea. The spirits place this
sign in the heavens to notify all that the land should be cleared, but
it does not call for a sacrifice as in the case of the people we have
previously described. At that time the men cut the trees and underbrush,
and after allowing them to dry, fire them. They also make the holes into
which the women drop seed rice.

When the land is ready for planting, a little house called _botabwE_ is
built in the center of the field, and beside it is placed a platform or
table, _sina-al_, on which is an offering of food. Early in the morning,
while the others sleep, the owner and his wife carry the seed rice to
the field and place it on the _botabwE_. After a time they eat some of
the food which has previously been offered and then begin to plant,
beginning close to the spirit house. Soon they are joined by other
workers who aid them in the planting. These assistants do not receive
payment for their services other than food while working and like help
when in need. At this time a bamboo pole, with one end split and spread
open like a cup,[63] is placed in front of the elevated platform of the
family dwelling and the guardian spirit of the fields is promised that
after the harvest he will receive the new seed rice. While the rice is
growing the men attend to the fences and the women keep down weeds or
frighten birds and other intruders away. When the crops have matured all
the people of a neighborhood will meet at the home of the chief, and