272 Kansas Academy of Science. 



priest of the ceremonies scattered sacred corn pollen in a circle on 

 the ground. Instantly a profound silence fell over all. The snake 

 men advanced and threw down their snakes within the yellow ring. 

 Then at a given signal, with a howl the whole medicine line made 

 a mad rush for the circle, and each Indian seized as many snakes 

 as he could carry in as many ways as possible. They then all made 

 off with them in every direction as fast as they could go, to set 

 them at liberty to carry the prayers of the people to the divinities 

 for rain. The snake dance is an elaborate prayer for rain. 



