80 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



'aits'ato, which may be literiiUy translated as ''menstrual (period) falls 

 off {i.e. has come to an end)." The guests are informed that she 

 has finished her period of taboo and are feasted and presented with 

 gifts. Potlatch and tlamâ songs are sung and topati dances and games 

 are performed. 



There are thus three potlatches or ceremonials normally given in 

 connection with the arriving at maturity of a girl: — the puberty cere- 

 monial proper or Jntcapas, which begins her period of taboo; the 

 potlatch given in her honor or main '. aitst ! oil, which may or may (more 

 normally) not coincide with the potlatch given at the time of the 

 puberty ceremonial (in the case of the ceremonial we have described 

 this second potlatch was promised but not definitely announced; it 

 took place about a month later in conjunction with a "wolf ritual" or 

 tdkwâna given by the girl's father), at which the "torches" are returned 

 with return gifts at 100 per cent, interest; and the -aits-ato, which 

 ends her period of taboo.* 



Geological Survey, 



Ottawa, Ont. 



*Cf. F. Boas' report on "The Nootka," British Association for the Advancement 

 of Science, Sixth Report on the North- Western Tribes of Canada, pp. 40-42. Boas 

 gives a drawing of a painted board-screen, also two Hamâ songs. 



