decked, she is led up to the sick man, who takes hold of her tail.
Prayers are now offered up that the cow may conduct him, by a blessed
path, to the next world. He then makes a gift of a cow to a Brahmin.
This gift is considered indispensable to enable the soul to go over the
river of fire, which it is said all must pass after death. Those who
have made this gift, are met by one of these favored creatures the
moment they arrive at the bank of the stream, and by her help, they are
enabled to pass without injury from the flames.

As soon as the breath has left his body, all who are present must weep
for a reasonable time, and join in lamentations together.

After various ceremonies, the body is washed, and a barber is called to
shave his head. He is then clad with his finest clothes and adorned with
jewels. He is rubbed with sandal-wood where the body is uncovered, and
the accustomed mark is put upon his forehead. Thus dressed he is placed
on a kind of state bed, where he remains until he is carried to the
pile.

After every preparation is made to bear away the corpse, the person who
is to conduct the funeral, with the assistance of some relative or
friend, strips it of its clothing and jewels, and covers it with a
handkerchief provided for the occasion. The corpse is then placed on a
litter. Those who die in a state of marriage, have their faces left
uncovered. The litter, adorned with flowers and foliage, and sometimes
decked with valuable stuffs, is borne by four Brahmins. The procession
is arranged as follows.

The chief of the funeral marches foremost, carrying fire in a vessel.
The body follows, attended by the relations and friends, without their