The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JACK IN THE PULPIT (INDIAN TURNIP)

IT WAS CALLED JUG WOMAN'S BABY BY THE PENOBSCOT INDIANS
AND REGARDED AS POISONOUS. THE INNER SEED, DROPPED INTO
A CUP OF WATER, WOULD FLOAT FOUR TIMES CLOCKWISE
AROUND THE CUP AS A SIGN THE PATIENT WOULD GET WELL;
IF IT SANK BEFORE THE FOURTH ROUND, HE WOULD DIE.

Submitter comment: A LITTLE PIECE OF FORTUNE TELLING OR MISFORTUNE
TELLING OF MY GRANDMOTHER. I ALSO RECALL SEEING THIS
ONE IN AN OLD MOVIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CALUMET

Date learned: NOT GIVEN