are then heard in concert, with singers of both sexes, who join in songs of joy; and female dancers exhibit their whole art, to afford entertainment to the wedding guests. During this time the mother of the bride presents to the Brahmans a bason filled with consecrated ashes, the remains of the above-described burnt-offering; and she always chooses such a position that her face is directed towards the east. The Brahman takes from the bason, three times in succession, a handful of ashes, and suffers them to escape slowly through his fingers. When these ashes form on the ground a round figure, it is called _Sudharshana_ and _Ciakra_, that is, the wheel of happy omen; for the _Ciakra_, or wheel, is the badge and characteristic mark of _Vishnu_, and consequently has a reference to the unanimity, happiness, and fruitfulness of the new-wedded pair. These consecrated ashes, together with the above mentioned _Olas_, are carefully preserved in a particular vessel, and considered as a valuable pledge of mutual fidelity. The Brahman, however, first distributes a small quantity of them to every person present; and paints on their forehead, with a sort of ointment, consisting of pulverised sandal wood, saffron, and dried cow’s dung, the name of God, or the word _Tirunàma_. When these ceremonies are ended, the bride’s mother washes the Brahman’s feet; but the father pours water on his hands, and, having dried them, presents him with a piece of silk or cotton stuff, and a few _panams_ in gold or silver. Sometimes the Brahman receives also a calf; and this present is, in general, the most agreeable.