240 A STRANGE BELIEF. 
supposed that the worthless ceased to exist at 
death. 
They believed, along with the Nesquallies, 
Yakimas, and as far as I know all the tribes, 
that beasts, fishes, and, at least, the edible roots 
of the vegetable kingdom, were once human 
beings. The Flathead tradition is that the son 
of the Sun came to the earth and compelled all 
these humans to swim across a lake of oil, on 
emerging from which they assumed their present 
forms, a reason being given for the particular 
shape and peculiarities of each. Bear, beaver, 
goose, &c.; for instance, the bear crossed by div- 
ing, and is therefore fat; the goose did not dive, 
and consequently has only fat on the neck and 
behind. 
Q. Can the origin of their dogs be traced 
whence came the parent stock ? 
A, (Tolmie.)—With the Flatheads and Chim- 
syans, the tradition is that the son of the Sun was 
accompanied by a dog, when he came upon the 
earth. The latter do not say that the metamor- 
phosis of humans into beasts was caused by 
the son of the Sun. 
Q. Are the chiefs, whether of limited or ab- 
solute power, elective or hereditary ? 
A. (Anderson. )—Hereditary rank goes a great 
