Jink, 1902. The Mishongnovi Ckremonies — Dorsev. 255 



feasts, in which melons and young roasting ears form the principal 

 objects of food. Usually, some of the older people of the village are 

 present to preserve propriety. 



Both Snake and Antelope priests are expected to practice strict 

 continence during these four days and to sleep in their kivas, where 

 they indulge in fraternal smoking around the fireplace. Otherwise, 

 they follow their usual pursuits of life. As far as known, no cere- 

 monies are performed by the participants on these days, unless it be 

 the sprinkling of a pinch of sacred meal to the rising sun at early 

 (lawn. 



THE SNAKE LEGEND. 



A long time ago there lived some people at Tokoonangwa who 

 were then not yet Snake people. The place where they lived was 

 situated near the bank of the Grand Canon, and the chief's son 

 often sat at the bank and wondered where all that water was flowing 

 to. "That must certainly fill it up very much somewhere," he 

 thought. After pondering over this awhile, he asked his father, who 

 was a chief, about it. "So that is what you have been thinking 

 about," the latter said. "Yes, and I want to go and find out where 

 all that water flows," the son replied. The father was willing that 

 his son should go and told him to prepare a box (boat) and arrange 

 it so that all the opening could be closed if necessary. This the 

 young man did, preparing also a long stick with which he could push 

 the box from the shore and get it afloat if it ran ashore or aground. 

 The chief prepared for his son numerous bahos which he should take 

 with him, and after having prepared some lunch and placed every- 

 thing into the box, the young man also' entered. The openings were 

 closed up, yet so that he could open them and look out, and then the 

 box was pushed into the stream and left to float down with the 

 current. 



After awhile his boat ran against land ; he opened one of the 

 holes and looked out and found that he had run against an island, but 

 that there was water everywhere. He saw it was the bahtowakachi 

 (ocean). He opened his box and went ashore, and found the kihu 

 (house) of Kohkangrvuhti (Spider Woman). This house was a 

 hole in the ground. She hailed him and invited him to enter. He 



