lucky to count the bannocks, and when they fell,
"bad luck" was foretold. Finlay's bannock was not kneaded on the board
or placed on the brander, but, unlike the other bannocks, was toasted in
front of the fire.

_The Gruagach_ was a gentlemanly Brownie, who haunted byres. It was
never seen, although its shadow occasionally danced on the wall as it
flitted about. Often, when chased, it was heard tittering round corners.
In some barns, Clach-na-gruagach--"the Gruagach's stone"--is still
seen. Milkers pour an offering of milk into the hollowed stone "for
luck." The cream might not rise and the churn yield no butter if this
service were neglected. A favourite trick of the Gruagach was to untie
the cattle in the byre, so as to bring out the milkmaid, especially if
she had forgotten to leave the offering of milk.

_Tober Mhuire_ (St Mary's Well) is situated at Tarradale, Ross-shire.
When a sick person asks for a drink of Tober Mhuire water, it is taken
as a sign of approaching death. It is a curious thing that this
reverence for holy water should be perpetuated among a Presbyterian
people. Wishing and curative wells are numerous in the North.

_The Fians of Knockfarrel_.--This story belongs to the Ossianic or Fian
cycle of Gaelic tales in prose and verse. Hugh Miller makes reference to
it, but speaks of the Fians as giants. In Strathpeffer district the tale
is well known, and it is referred to in "Waifs and Strays of Celtic
Tradition." It is also localised in Skye. There are several Fian
place-names in the Highlands. The warriors are supposed to lie in a
charmed sleep in Craig-a-howe Cave, near Munlochy, Ross-shire. Caoilte,
the swift runner, was a famous Fian. Finn was chief, and Goll and Garry
were of Clan Morna, which united with the Fians. "Moolachie" is a little
babe, and "clarsach," a harp.

_Ledbag's Warning_.--Children who twist their mouths, or squint, are
warned that, if the wind changes, their contortions will remain. The
fate of the flounder, which mocked the cod, is cited as a terrible
example.

_Conn, Son of the Red_ is a Fian tale of which several old Gaelic
versions have been collected. Goll, the "first hero" of the Fians, slew
the Red when Conn, his son, was seven years old. In the fullness of time
the young hero, whom his enemies admire as well as fear, crossed the sea
to avenge his father's death, and engaged in a long and fierce duel with
Goll.

_Death of Cuchullin_ is from the Cuchullin Cycle of B