“Once a child saw its mother offering a rag to such a tree, and asked her the reason of the offering. The mother replied that her brother, that is the child’s maternal uncle, dwelt in the tree. Hence a belief arose that a _chithario_ (ragged) uncle dwells in such trees. Others assert that the _chithario pir_ dwells in such trees, and they propitiate him by offering cocoanuts and burning frankincense before it. “There is a _Khijado_ tree near Sultanpur which is believed to be the residence of a demon _māmo_. This demon is propitiated by the offerings of rags. “Some declare that travellers fix rags of worn-out clothes to the trees mentioned above in order that they may not be attacked by the evil spirits residing in them. Another belief is that the spirits of deceased ancestors residing in such trees get absolution through this form of devotion. It is also believed that a goddess called _chitharia devi_ resides in such trees, and being pleased with these offerings, blesses childless females with children, and cures persons suffering from itch of their disease. There is a further belief that ragged travellers, by offering pieces of their clothes to the _Khijado_, _Bāval_ or _Kerado_ trees, are blessed in return with good clothes. “Some believe that Hanumān, the lord of spirits, resides in certain trees. They call him _chithario_ or ragged Hanumān. All passers-by offer rags to the trees inhabited by him. There is such a tree near the station of Shirei. There is a tamarind tree on the road from Tamnagar to Khantalia which is believed to be the residence of _chithario_ Hanumān and receives similar offerings. Another tamarind tree of this description is near Marad and there is a _Khijado_ tree on the road between Kalavad and Vavadi which is similarly treated. “It is related by some people that in deserts trees are rare and the summer heat is oppressive. To the travellers passing through such deserts the only place of rest is in the shadow of a solitary tree that is to be met occasionally. In order that no harm be done to such trees, some people have given currency to the belief that a spirit called _māmo_ dwells in such trees and expects the offering of a rag and a pice at the hands of every passer-by. “In some places, the _Borādi_ (jujube,) _Pipal_, _Vad_ (banyan) and the sweet basil receive offerings of a pice and a betel-nut from travellers, while the _Khijado_ and _Bāval_ are given rags.”