ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



four different moons, and through four years to instruct him in the 

 mythologic cause of disease. 



There are certain medicines employed for the various complaints 

 composed in part of root decoctions. They are prepared by taking 

 one root running from the trunk directly to the north, one to the 

 east, one to the south, and one to the west. The preparation of the 

 medicine require ceremonies which last during four nights each, of 

 four moons, and of four years each. 



Mr. DoRSEY stated that part of the Osage ceremonies were strictly 

 secret, though the latter portion was public. 



Prof. Mason inquired whether these ceremonies had in any way 

 been influenced by contact with the whites, or whether they were a 

 crystallized custom. 



Mr. DoRSEY replied that he had found recurrences of these cus- 

 toms in other cognate tribes, and believed that this special cere- 

 mony was original. 



Prof Mason desired to know of Mr. Dorsey whether it was not 

 unusual to admit him to the secret meetings, to which the latter 

 replied that it was only after the Indians had discovered that he 

 was familiar with the ceremonies, learned of the northern tribes, 

 that they imparted to him the fact. The speaker further stated that 

 the recitations are also in an archaic form of the language. 



In general, all the points obtained from the Osages tally with the 

 information obtained from other cognate tribes. 



Major Powell said that people on reservations may be classed in 

 two divisions, those who are yet pagan and those who profess the 

 Christian religion, but the latter take part in ancient religious rites. 



The people of Jemez, although Catholics, still visit the mountains 

 once a month to perform their mystic rites. Some of the Iroquois 

 also adhere to their ancient mystic ceremonies and practise them at 

 stated times. 



The importance of a knowledge of Indian languages is illustrated 

 by Mr. Dorsey' s paper for the collection of myths and facts per- 

 taining to secret ceremonies, as is also the knowledge of similar 

 customs among other tribes so as to know the method of approach 

 and extraction. 



Mr. Dorsey replied that he usually gained the confidence of his 

 hearers by first telling them the myths of other tribes. 



