THE KWAKIUTL INDIANS. 



655 



he is to De a loLE'm, a noise, "lion, bon," is heard on the roof of 

 the honse, and the yonth faints. The hlLE'm (or the members of the 

 society in which be is to be initiated) are called to investigate wliy 

 the youth fainted. They enter singing, their beads covered with down. 

 They place him on an elk skin, carry him around the fire, then they 

 throw the youth upward and show the people that he has vanished. 

 After some time, when the novice is expected back, tlie people assem- 

 ble in the house, and all the members of the nobility try to bring him 



Fig. 208. 



HEAD RING OF ME'ILA. 



Tsimsliian. 

 Diameter of ring 8J inclies; height of carving 14 inches. 



IV A, No. 1020, Royal Ellmographie.iI Museum, Berlin. CoUecteil by A. Jacobseu. 



back by the help of their spirits. In order to do this, they dance w th 

 the head ornaments of their clans, their rattles, dancing blankets, 

 aprons, and leggings, or they use the head ornament representing two 

 bears' ears, which is made of bearskin set witli woman's hair, dyed 

 red. This ornament is used by all clans, or they wear masks repre- 

 senting their guardian spirits. 



As an example of these, I will describe the spirit of sleep, Arhich 

 belongs to the G-IspawaduwE'da. The owner of this spirit appears 

 sleeping, his face covered witli a mask, the eyes of which are shut (fig. 



