PRESENTS TO THE BABY SAVAGE. 231 



Q. Are there any ceremonies connected 

 with the birth of a child, whether male or 

 female ? 



A. (Anderson.) None that I am aware of. 

 A. (Tolmie.) Amongst the ' Sailish,' mis- 

 named Flatheads, and the Kalleespelm, it was 

 in primitive times the custom, amongst the 

 wealthier families of a tribe, for the pater- 

 nal relatives to present the mother on the 

 birth of a child, with food, buffalo-robes 

 and leather, such things as the child would 

 need. The maternal relatives made return 

 of clothing and other valuables, but not of food. 

 Amongst the Shahaptain or Nerperce"s the 

 mother gave presents but received none in 

 return. 



Q. Does infanticide occur to any extent ; if so, 

 what are the probable causes? 

 A. (Anderson.) No. 



A. ( Tolmie.) Amongst the Chenooks and the 

 Indians of Puget's Sound, as well as the Chimsians 

 or Fort Simpson Indians, infanticide and causing 

 of abortion are not uncommon. Certain old 

 women at Nesqually I knew were reputed experts 

 at the last-mentioned business. The causes are, 

 at first, shame at having a child without an 

 acknowledged father; latterly, the desire of 



