MODESOFBURIAL. 25 



Catlin gives, in his second volume (pp. 5-6), an interesting account of the grave 

 of Black Bird, a famous chief of the 0-ma-haws, on the Missouri River, about 

 twelve hundred miles above St. Louis. The elevated bluff on which this grave is 

 located may be distinguished for several leagues in different directions. On his 

 return from Washington, Black Bird died near this spot from smallpox; and, 

 in the last moments of life, made the request that his body should be dressed 

 in full costume, mounted upon his favorite horse, and buried upon the pinnacle of 

 this commanding bluff, the extensive and beautiful view from which had so often 

 delighted him during life. In the presence of the whole nation, the dead chief 

 was placed astride his noble white steed, with his bow in his hand, and his 

 shield and quiver slung on his back. His pipe, his flint and steel, his tinder 

 to light his pipe by the way, his medicine bag, and a supply of dried meat were 

 furnished him. His tobacco pouch was replenished to last him through his 

 journey to the beautiful hunting grounds of his fathers. The turf was brought 

 and placed around the feet and legs of the horse, and gradually piled up, until it 

 reached the sides of the imsuspccting animal, and covered the body and head, and 

 even the beautiful eagle-feathered plume of the valliant rider. This mound, which 

 is covered with a green turf, and has a cedar planted in the centre, can be seen at 

 a distance of fifteen miles by the voyagei', and forms for him a familiar and useful 

 land-mark. 



Clavigero has given, in the second volume of his "History of Mexico," an in- 

 teresting description of the funeral rites and sepulchres of the Mexicans. How- 

 ever superstitious the Mexicans were in other matters, in the rites which they 

 observed at funerals they exceeded themselves. As soon as any person died, certain 

 masters of funeral ceremonies were called, who were generally men advanced in 

 years. They cut a number of pieces of paper, with which they dressed the dead 

 body, and took a cup of water, with which they sprinkled the head, saying, "that 

 was the water used in the time of their life." They then dressed it in a clothing 

 suitable to the rank, the wealth, and the circumstances attending the death of the 

 party. If the deceased had been a warrior, they clothed him in the habit of Huit- 

 zilopochtli; if a merchant, in that of Jacateuctli; if an artist, in that of the pro- 

 tecting god of his art or trade. One who had been drowned was dressed in the 

 habit of Tlaloc; one who had been executed for adultery, in that of Tlazolteotl; 

 and a drunkard in the habit of Tezcatzoncatl, god of wine. In short, as Gomara 

 has well observed, they wore more garments after they were dead than while they 

 were living. 



When they had arrayed the dead, they gave him a jug of water, which was 

 to serve on the journey to the other world, and also at different times, pieces 

 of paper, mentioning the use of each. On offering the first piece to the dead, 

 they said : " By means of this you will pass witJiout danger hetween the two moun- 

 tains which fight against each other.'''' With the second they said: '■'■^y means of 

 this you will ivalk without ohstruction along the road which is defended hy the great 

 serpent" With the third: "By this you tcill go securely through the jd ace ichere 

 there is the crocodile Xochitonal." The fourth was a safe passport through the 

 eight deserts; the fifth through the eight hills; and the sixth was given in order 



4 April, 1876. 



