38 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 
dashed onto the fire. ‘This was kept up until the fire was out, but the 
people paid no attention to the interruption, and the dancing and other 
ceremonies progressed as if nothing unusual were happening. Finally, 
great cans of tea that had been brewing in the edge of the fire and pilot 

CARVED POST, BELLA COOLA 
Purchased for the Museum 
bread from twenty-eight cases, some of which we had been using as 
seats, were brought forward, and the cultus potlatch was on. 
A real potlatch is a function consisting of the giving out of property 
as an investment and with the purpose of gaining aristocratic position 
