"Deposit in the hole a little scrap-iron and tin-ore, a candle nut (buah k'ras or buah gorek), a broken hatchet head (b'liong patah), and a cent (in copper). Wait till everybody else has returned home, and, standing close to the hole, pick up three clods (kepal) of earth, hold them (genggam) over the incense, turn 'right-about-face' and repeat the charm. [272] Then take the three clods home (without once turning round to look behind you till you reach home), place them under your sleeping pillow and wait till nightfall, when you may have either a good or a bad dream. If the first night's dream be bad, throw away one of the clods and dream again. If the second night's dream be bad, repeat the process, and whenever you get a good dream deposit the clod or clods under the butt-end of the centre-post to serve as a foundation." A magician gave me this specimen of a charm used at this ceremony (of erecting the centre-post):-- "Ho, Raja Guru, Maharaja Guru, You are the sons of Batara Guru. I know the origin from which you spring, From the Flashing of Lightning's spurs; I know the origin from which you spring, From the Brightening of Daybreak. Ho, Spectre of the Earth, Brains of the Earth, Demon of the Earth, Retire ye hence to the depths of the Ocean, To the peace of the primeval forest. Betwixt you and me Division was made by Adam." Another rule of importance in house-building is that which regulates the length of the threshold, as to which the instructions are as follows:-- "Measure off (on a piece of string) the stretch (fathom) of the arms of her who is to be mistress of the proposed house. Fold this string in three and cut off one third. Take the remainder, fold it in eight and cut off seven-eighths. Take the remaining eighth, see how many times it is contained in the length of the threshold, and check off the number (of these measurements) against the "category" (bilangan) of the "eight beasts" [273] (benatang yang d'lapan). This category runs as follows:--(1) The dragon (naga); (2) the dairy-cow (sapi); (3) the lion (singa); (4) the dog (anjing); (5) the draught-cow (lembu); (6) the ass (kaldei); (7) the elephant (gajah), and (8) the crow (gagak), all of which have certain ominous significations. If the last measurement coincides with one of the unlucky beasts in the category, such as the crow (which signifies the death of the master of the house), the threshold is cut shorter to make it fit in with one that is more auspicious." [274] The names of the "eight beasts," coupled with the events which they are supposed to foreshadow, are often commemorated in rhyming stanzas. Here is a specimen:-- I.--The Dragon (naga). "A dragon of bulk, a monster dragon, Is this dragon that turns round month by month. [275] Wherever you go you will be safe from stumbling-blocks, And all who meet you will be your friends." II.--The Dairy-Cow (sapi).