176 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. IV. 



The singing in the Rabbit-tipi had continued. Having approached 

 within about a hundred feet of the lodge, the woman called out in a 

 loud voice the name of her husband. This she did four times, where- 

 upon the Lodge-Maker went out, put his hands on her head, and 

 received into his mouth the piece of root from her mouth. He then 

 went to the grandfather, and also received from his mouth a piece of 

 root. The grandfather taking the lead again, they approached and 

 entered the lodge. He then took from him the straight-pipe and pro- 

 ceeded to the Rabbit-tipi, which he entered, and remained standing 

 near the north door until the singing ceased. He then said, "I have 

 brought back the pipe," whereupon all said, "Thanks!" The pipe 

 was then placed in its usual position. The Lodge-Maker then went 

 to Nakadsh, to Debithe, and Thiyeh, where he placed his two hands 

 upon the head of each. He transferred from his mouth to theirs a 

 portion of the root, which he had received from his wife and from the 

 grandfather outside the lodge. 



This same performance was repeated on the Second night after 

 this. The time was again about midnight, on the day of the comple- 

 tion of the Offerings-lodge and its accompanying altar. On the return 

 of the two began the dancing of the Sun Dance proper. The follow- 

 ing observations are from one of my informants: "The grandfather 

 spat on the ground five times, beginning at the southeast, then south- 

 west, northwest, northeast, and in the center, thus forming a 'wallow. * 

 Upon this wallow is spread the buffalo robe of the woman and here 

 the intercourse takes place, the woman facing the moon. It repre- 

 sents intercourse between sun and moon, bringing strength to the 

 people and increase to the tribe, for thus were created the beings of 

 the world. 



"The root given and received by the husband, is the seed of the 

 grandfather. The straight-pipe is the penis or root of man ; so the 

 intercourse happens between the sun and moon for a blessing upon 

 the tribe. 



"The grandfather takes the lead in going out of the lodge and 

 the wife on returning brings back the word that it was done. The 

 husband, hearing the report, gives thanks for the seed, and goes out 

 to receive it by kissing her. He chews the root and rubs himself with 

 it. The grandfather, being the sun, makes things to grow; and the 

 grandchild, being the moon, gives birth to the beings of the world.^* 



It is interesting to compare with the above the following com- 

 ments on this rite, obtained from a priest of the Northern Arapaho. 



The wife of the Lodge-Maker is looked upon as the mother of the 

 tribe. She ceases to be such when the ceremony is over, after the 



