Alexis: And how soon does it take effect? Mr. Wells: In twelve hours. Whoever drinks of it loses consciousness for that period, and on waking falls in love, as a matter of course, with the first lady he meets who has also tasted it, and his affection is at once returned. One trial will prove the fact. _Enter Aline with large tea-pot._ Alexis: Good: then, Mr. Wells, I shall feel obliged if you will at once pour as much philtre into this tea-pot as will suffice to affect the whole village. Aline: But bless me, Alexis, many of the villagers are married people! Mr. Wells: Madam, this philtre is compounded on the strictest principles. On married people it has no effect whatever. But are you quite sure that you have nerve enough to carry you through the fearful ordeal? Alexis: In the good cause I fear nothing. Mr. Wells: Very good, then, we will proceed at once to the Incantation. * * * * * In the South Sea Islands amatory aids and spells are still in vogue. The following love incantation involves the love-sick girl Taratake: Mr. Hair-of-his-head, Mr. Hair-of-his-head, Go you to him, to Taratake! Whisper my name when he dreams, when he wakes. When he walks among the women. Draw him by the hand, Draw him by the foot, Draw him by the heart and entrails to me. He thinks only of me; He dies for love of me; There is no woman for him but me, no love but mine, no love-making but mine. He comes to me, he comes, he is here with me, With me, Laughter-of-Waves-o-o-o! * * * * * As recently as 1956, in the _Flute of Sand_, Lawrence Morgan describes an experience among the Ouled-Naïl dancers of North Africa: Interwoven into their lives were sorcery, black magic, and, most common of all, the use of love-philtres with which they believed they could enslave any man. In the pot of mint tea in Yacourte’s room had been a philtre intended to help the erring lover to make up his mind. * * * * * The term bayadère is derived from the Portuguese baladeira, associated with bailar, to dance. Originally, the expression was applied to a Hindu dancing girl, noted for erotic performances. The bayadère, in fact, like the nautsch dancers, could be equated with prostitution. * * * * *