4 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



mythical accounts of the origin of the gentes. It takes four days 

 to relate the tradition of any gens, making eighty-four days needed 

 to hear all the traditions. The order consists of seven degrees : i. 

 Songs of the Giving of Life. 2. Songs of the Bird (dove). 3. 

 Songs of the Sacred Thing (bag). 4. Songs of the Pack-strap. 5. 

 Songs of the Round Rush. 6. Songs of Fasting. 7. Songs of the 

 Return from the Fight. Women are admitted to the order ; but 

 none of the younger people are initiated. Extracts were made from 

 the two versions of the tradition of the Tsi-shu wa-shta-ke or peace- 

 making gens of the left side of the tribe. This tradition is entitled 

 •'What is told of the old time (U-nu^ U-dha-ke)." 



DISCUSSION. 



Major Powell thought it probable that this society might be for 

 the preparation of medicine, or for some mystic rite other than the 

 perpetuation of mythic history. 



Mr. DoRSEY replied that there are other societies than the above 

 mentioned, entirely distinct, and solely for the preparation of medi- 

 cine, as he had been able to ascertain. From this society emanate 

 the directions to heads of war parties, plans for erecting lodges, 

 hanging the kettles, and laying the pieces of fire-wood ; also to 

 the makers of the war drum, the stand, moccasins, and war bows, 

 certain individuals being selected for each of these duties. Women 

 belong to this society, and these have two small circles tattooed 

 upon the forehead, one above the other. The crease or parting of 

 tlie hair is painted to represent the path of the sun. In prayer 

 they face the east at sunrise, and the west at sunset. The doors of 

 the lodges are placed at the eastern side, and the dead are buried 

 with their heads toward the east ; hence no one will ever sleep with 

 his head pointing in that direction. 



Major Powell then stated that he had, during last winter, inves- 

 tigated the organization of medicine societies among the Muskoki. 

 According to this tribe diseases are caused by mythical animals, 

 such as the bear, elk, deer, owl, spider, &c., and for each disease 

 there is a distinct medicine society, the head personage of which in- 

 itiates each year young men to cure the various forms of disease be- 

 longing to his class. The traditions of the mythical origin of each 

 disease is preserved by the different chiefs of the medicine societies. 



The neophyte is instructed through four different nights, through 



