To him, this stone or stick is consecrated.

It has power to placate the spirits and ward off their evil.

It is the medium of communication between him and them.

Now, having attended, as he thinks, to the proprieties in the case, he proceeds to dig, plough, drain, put in order and treat soil or water, tree or other growth as is most convenient for his purpose.

His fetich is erected to "the honorable spirits." Were this not attended to, some known or unknown bad luck, sinister fortune, or calamity would befall him.