Eclipses of the sun or moon foretell war or some other great calamity. They most usually say of them that the sun or moon is “rotten,” frequently that they are “sick.” They generally believe that each moon dies, and that every new moon is _new_ in the strict sense of the word. Some, however, think that it does not die altogether, but leaves a seed or germ, which in turn grows big and then small until only the seed is left. The rising and setting of the Pleiades, the new and full moon, are occasions of great rejoicings, dancing, and beer-drinking. Sacrifices are still made by local natives. Formerly a large number of black oxen were killed at one sacrifice, but since the scourge of rinderpest visited Rhodesia goats have been substituted. The last sacrifice at Zimbabwe took place in February, 1904. The local natives sacrificed in the Elliptical Temple, but they have no settled point within the temple where they hold these ceremonies. The sacrifice was conducted during the prolonged drought then prevailing. The natives kept the ceremony private until after it was over, and the rain had arrived. Makalanga of several tribes from near and far used to come to the Elliptical Temple for sacrifices, and these were offered up within the walls, but at different spots inside; while on several occasions the ceremony took place just outside the walls. Once every village had its own ceremony, and these took place in January, black bulls being offered for males and black cows for females. The sacrifices now made are to the spirits of departed chiefs, and are offered on the suggestion of witch-doctors, who receive fees for their advice, and who, to make money, declare that the spirit of some dead chief or relative is angry and must be appeased. Some portion of the meat was taken to the spot supposed to be haunted by the spirit, and the rest is eaten by those present, the bones being sometimes burnt or thrown into a river; but recently they have been left about the spot. Sacrifices were usually offered to secure success in any venture to be undertaken, or to obtain good harvests. Till recently they practised a similar rite to that known in Mosaic times, and in this instance also the animal was not killed, but was led out on to the veld and purposely lost. If found it was not killed. The natives are aware that this rite was once observed by their people, but state it is not practised now.