er offensive to our notions of good taste, it is certain
that, in Hindu erotic poetry, a hot hand is considered to be one
of the signs of passionate love. Compare Othello, Act III. Scene
4. 'Give me your hand: this hand is moist, my lady--hot, hot,
and moist.'

94. _The airy vapours of the desert_.

A kind of mirage floating over waste places, and appearing at a
distance like water. Travellers and some animals, especially
deer, are supposed to be attracted and deceived by it.

95. _Himalaya_.

The name of this celebrated range of mountains is derived from
two Sanskrit words, _hima_, 'ice' or 'snow' (Lat. _hiems_), and
_alaya_, 'abode.' The pronunciation Himalaya is incorrect.

96. _As [S']iva did the poison at the Deluge_.

At the churning of the ocean, after the Deluge, by the gods and
demons, for the recovery or production of fourteen sacred things,
a deadly poison called Kala-kuta, or Hala-hala, was generated, so
virulent that it would have destroyed the world, had not the god
[S']iva swallowed it. Its only effect was to leave a dark blue mark
on his throat, whence his name Nila-kantha. This name is also
given to a beautiful bird, not wholly unlike our jay, common in
Bengal.

97. _Palace of clouds_.

The palace of King Dushyanta, so called because it was lofty as
the clouds.

98. _The foreman of a guild belonging to Ayodhya_.

The chief of a guild or corporation of artisans practising the
same trade. Ayodhya, or the Invincible City, was the ancient
capital of Ramachandra, founded by Ikshwaku, the first of the
Solar dynasty. It was situated on the river Sarayu in the north
of India, and is now called Oude.

99. _My ancestors Must drink these glistening tears, the last
libation_.

Oblations to the spirits of the deceased are offered by the
nearest surviving relatives soon after the funeral ceremonies;
and are repeated once in every year. They are supposed to be
necessary to secure the well-being of the souls of the dead in
the world appropriated to them. The oblation-ceremony is called
[S']raddha, and generally consisted in offering balls made of rice
and milk, or in pouring out water, or water and sesamum-seed
mixed. These ceremonies are still regarded as essential to the
welfare of deceased persons, and their celebration is marked by
magnificent feasts, to which relations and a host of Brahmans are
invited. A native who had grown rich in the time of Warren
Hastings spent nine lakhs of rupees on his