The Lifting of the Bride. 237
Stone" are based is that the bride, by jumping over or standing on the sacred stone, absorbs from it some fertilis ing influence. This idea has now naturally fallen into the background, but curiously enough the substitute which people who once used to practise this rite have chosen to replace it, that of throwing rice in imitation of the customs of the upper classes, is probably based on the same train of thought.
What the real origin of the name " petting stone " may be it is impossible to say. We may at least be certain that the explanation now offered for the observance, that the bride may never "take the pet,^' is a case of folk-etymology. ^
If the explanation which I have suggested be correct, the rite of the " petting stone " falls into line with the many other fertility charms of the same kind which have been so well illustrated by Mr. Sidney Hartland.^
Stepping over things is in popular belief a very serious matter, and the effect of so doing may be illustrated by a few examples Thus, in the West Indies, an enceinte woman will not step over a rod or small branch laid in her path, and it is the rule in India that no one should step over a fallen broom lest he may cause some woman to suffer in labour.^ In Fife, if a woman step over a " Cutty's Clap," that is a place where a hare has lain, her next child will suffer from hare-lip ; in Syria no one must step over the dough while baking, lest some evil influence be communi- cated to it."^ On the other hand, in Madagascar, if a woman steps over a palanquin-bearer's pole, the skin of
jump over a pail placed on the door-sill as a chastity test (Fifth Series Notes and Queries, vi., 24), [See the Berkshire collection of Miss L. Salmon, read at meeting of 20th June, 1902, to appear in our December number. To detect a witch, lay two brooms across the doorway. The woman, if a witch, will jianp over them, otherwise she will simply step over.] ' Denham T^-acts, i., 67.
- Legend of Perseus, i., 173 seq.
^ Sixth Series A^(3/f^ and Queries, iv., 165; Ptinjab Notes and Queries, iv., 28.
- Folk- Lore, ix., 286, 17.
