May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 65 



robe, and the other pieces in their correspondingly proper positions. 

 Other pieces of rabbit fur were now attached to the robe here and 

 there promiscuously. The limbs of the buffalo are now wrapped, the 

 pieces of fur being likened to the buffalo chips which are used to wrap 

 a baby. 



Debithe now brought into the lodge live coals, one of which was 

 placed just in front of the forward end of the robe, upon which he 

 deposited a pinch of spruce leaves. After the robe had thus been 

 incensed, it was returned to the Lodge-Maker, who placed it behind 

 him. 



SYMBOLISM OF THE LODGE-MAKER'S ROBE. 



Inquiry, after the conclusion of the Sun Dance, brought to light 

 certain interesting information at variance in one or two details from 

 that obtained in the Rabbit-tipi; according to this information the fur 

 of the rabbit is used for the reason that the animals are harmless and 

 clean. The rabbit fur, comprising seven pieces in all, is arranged to 

 represent the picture or symbol of a buffalo bull. In the center of the 

 robe is drawn in white clay, a streak representing a road or path ; a 

 white circular spot in the center of the path represents the sun, the 

 idea being thus expressed that the Offerings-lodge is in progress. 



Attached to the seven pieces of fur were the seven roots of certain 

 plants, each root being considered the foundation of a certain special 

 lodge, although in each lodge there are generally two or more roots 

 used, one for spittle, to be used upon persons, the other to be used 

 upon objects. In each lodge there is also used the leaves of one or 

 more plants or trees for incense. 



The arrangement of the roots upon the robe should be, according 

 to my second informant, as in the diagram here given. 



o 



^— ^ Dog root ^—^ 

 Cockle bom ^—^ Main root 

 ^-^ Craiyroot y^^ 

 Strong root y' — \ Lump-bick Too*, 

 Sage 



