258 ROOT BASKETS WATERTIGHT. 
of standard similar to our regimental colours. It 
belongs to the tribe, not to the chief, and is kept 
by the ‘medicine-men’ or doctors, rain-makers, 
and scoundrels in general. 
Not the least curious of the Coast Indian cus- 
toms is that of masking. Inmitations of the most 
hideous monsters conceivable are carved for 
masks from cedar-wood, and by a clumsy arrange- 
ment of strings these masks are made to roll the 
eyes, and open and shut the mouth. They use 
them when dancing, the only music a kind of 
drum or tambourine, hung round with the beaks 
of the sea-parrot, which rattle as the instrument 
is shaken and beat. Some cover their heads 
with swans-down, and as they bow to their 
partner, small portions fly off and settle on him ; 
and this sending the down upon the opposite 
dancer is considered the great skill of the per- 
formance. 
The Bella-hoo-la Indians, a tribe that resides 
on the banks of the Salmon river, make very. 
beautiful baskets from the fine roots of the cedar; 
they also make hats and watertight vessels from 
the same material. The baskets are called Ze- 
lus-qua. , 
The Indian cradle ( Spat-zun) ismadefrom cedar. 
Immediately after birth, the infant is subjected 
