Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

ECLIPSE OF THE MOON. 297

prayers—" Allah wo uckbaar!" (God alone is
great!) To this summons the faithful attend dili-
gently, and they are generally occupied in the
form of prayer appointed by Mahumud until
the shadow has passed over the sun or moon
eclipsed.

The ladies prepare offerings of corn, oil, and
money to be distributed amongst the poor. The
gentlemen give presents to the needy. The
astronomer who predicts to his royal or noble
master the exact period of an eclipse, is re-
warded, when it is over, with money, a dress,
and a crescent of pure gold in some instances.
A bride elect sends sutkah* to her intended
husband, accompanied by a goat or kid, which
must be tied to the leg of his bedstead during
the continuance of an eclipse: these offerings
are afterwards distributed in charity. Women
expecting to become mothers are carefully kept
awake during an eclipse, as they declare the
infant's security depends on the mother being-
kept from sleep ; they are not allowed to use a

* All offerings of intercession or thanksgivings are deno-
minated sntkah.