BIRTH, second birth or twice born' are terms frequently met with in writings on the Hindu people, and indicate that the person to whom it is applied has received the zonar or sacrificial cord. In this respect it resembles the confirma tion of the Episcopal Church of England. The term is alsci often used by Sudra Hindus to imply conversion of heart. Hindus and Mahome dans have many child-birth ceremonies. The Mahomedans of N.W. India; on the birth of a child, show it a sword or knife, to ward off evil from it. There, also, on the birth of a child among the Sudra Hindus, a Brahman is at once sent for, who announces the nakshatra or planet under which it has been born. A Chamarni, or wifo of a Chamar, is also summoned, for the purpose of taking charge of both mother and infant. She remains for. six days, and then leaves, after receiving clothes and other perquisites. Her place is supplied by a Navin, or barber's wife, who con tinues her service for a month or upwards. On the sixth day the mother is allowed to bathe, according to the time fixed by the Brahman, and her friends visit her, bringing with them spices, clarified butter, and articles of clothing for the child. She also bathes on the twelfth day, and
is considered to bo ceremonially clean. her friends now approach her person, which they arc permitted to touch, offering their congratulations. During the whole of the first twelve days the women of the neighbourhood gather themselves daily at the house, and sing songs, called Sober, in honour of the occasion. If the infant is born in the Wil-nakshatra, the woman remains impure for twenty-seven days, as amongst the Brahmans. On the occasion of a birth in a Chinese house, large bunches of evergreens are suspended above the house door. In Japan, annually, in front of every house where a child has been born, a huge paper fish, from 3 to 25 feet long, is hoisted on a bamboo pole. Theatrical representations last throughout the day.