We have a saying in Montalluyah that to attack beauty and goodness is to attack Heaven itself, from whose attributes they are derived.

3.  Raskutshi.—­Supposed to be the king of the air, and ruler of all the zephyrs and spirits of the region.  According to our poetical legends Raskutshi comes near the Earth when angry, and his advent is followed by a terrific storm.  The air preceding certain storms in our climate has a peculiar effect in creating a species of torpor.  It is then supposed that “Raskutshi spreads his wings over the temples of his people.”

4.  Kamouska.—­A loving little animal like a bird, very beautiful and gentle, with an eye of jet black, and of great brilliancy, but softened when the little thing wishes to be petted.  She likes much the electricity of the mouth, and puts up her face as though wishing to be kissed, at the same time emitting a beautiful musical sound.  Her body is covered with the softest down, finer than that of the ostrich or the marabout.  The feathers are of the richest gold and crimson, mingled with grey, her breast of the richest crimson conceivable.  The top of her head is gold, the rest of her body greyish white, her beak pale pink, her tail of green and gold, intermingled with touches of greyish-white and red.  She feeds on the blossoms of a flower growing amongst a peculiar grass, and on all kinds of fruit.  She does not drink, but is satisfied with juices from the rich fruits which we have all the year round.  Kamouska, I should say, is the name of the female bird, who alone is petted, the male being vicious and without feathers.  Frequent reference is made to her by our poets.

5.  Orestee.—­The name of a man who invented an ingenious instrument for discovering diamonds in the bowels of the earth, and for penetrating to the spot where they lay.

This instrument possesses an electricity sympathetic to diamonds only.  The presence of them is indicated by an exceedingly sensitive arm of the instrument which being retained on the spot indicated, puts forth tendrils that gradually perforate the earth, and do not stop until a precious stone is reached.

6.  Meleeta.—­A pet animal of most peculiar formation.  Its body resembles that of a beast, and is covered with hair of a light hue, interspersed with dark chestnut spots.  Its belly is white, as likewise are the feathers of its bird-like wings and tail, though these are varied with touches of crimson, blue, and gold.  Its eyes are large, and of a jet black, its neck is long and graceful like that of a swan, its back is short and sleek, and its legs and feet, which are armed with claws, are small, graceful, and mobile.  But its most remarkable peculiarity is the resemblance of its face to that of man.  The males, which have horns like polished white ivory, are not petted.

The female yields a delicious milk, sweet and refreshing to the smell as to the taste, and with peculiar qualities when taken fresh from the animal.  Meleetas are brought into the room during the early morning or “fruit-meal” repast, and each answers to her name, and stands still to be milked.