PRESENTS TO THE BABY SAVAGE. 231 
Q. Are there any ceremonies connected 
with the birth of a child, whether male or 
female ? 
A. (Anderson. )—None that I am aware of. 
A. (Tolmie.)—Amongst the ‘ Sailish,’ mis- 
named Flatheads, and the Kalleespelm, it was 
in primitive times the custom, amongst the 
wealthier families of a tribe, for the pater- 
nal relatives to present the mother on the 
birth of a child, with food, buffalo-robes 
and leather, such things as the child would 
need. The maternal relatives made return 
of clothing and other valuables, but not of food. 
Amongst the Shahaptain or Nerpercés the 
mother gave presents but received none in 
return. 
Q. Does infanticide occur to any extent; if so, 
what are the probable causes? 
A. (Anderson.)—No. 
A. (Tolmie.)—Amongst the Chenooks and the 
Indians of Puget’s Sound, as well as the Chimsians 
or Fort Simpson Indians, infanticide and causing 
of abortion are not uncommon. Certain old 
women at Nesqually I knew were reputed experts 
at the last-mentioned business. The causes are, 
at first, shame at having a child without an 
acknowledged father; latterly, the desire of 
