1892-93.] 



NOTES ON THE WESTERN DEN^S- 



207 



IS seen emerging. The natives are not agreed as to the meaning of the 

 large spider-like figure to the left, but the probability is that it is intended 

 to represent Yihta, the Great Bear. Immediately above is a toad in a 

 somewhat conventionalized shape, while below, and to the left, are two 

 figures of birds, the lower one of which is a grouse. The other signs are 

 the emblems of fishes, figures of men or symbols of objects which cannot 

 •now be identified. There is no ensemble or unity in the whole. It is 

 •only an aggregate of pictures or signs painted in red ochre by different 

 individuals and at different times. Most of them are very old. 



Fig. 190. 



The various objects represented are personal totems, and the object in 

 view in depicting them on rocks will be better understood by a reference 

 to the locality of the inscription reproduced above. It is to be seen 

 about half way between this place, Stuart's Lake or Na'kraztii and 

 Pintce, the nearest village by water. By painting in such a conspicuous 

 place the totem which had been the object of his dream, the Pintce 

 Indian meant to protect himself against any inhabitant of Na'kraztii, as 

 the intimate connection between himself and his totem could not fail, he 

 believed, to reveal by an infallible presentiment the coming of any person 

 who had passed along the rock adorned with the image of his totem. 

 Thus it will be seen that clairvoyance had adepts even in such an out of 

 the way place as Stuart's Lake. 



Fig. 191 is, of course, a mere picture. The oval circle wherein the cari- 

 boo stands is intended to represent a mountain. A shield is instinctively 

 called to mind by fig. 192 ; but the natives are positive that this is a 

 false impression, as the inner circle stands for a den within or upon a 

 mountain. The four figures between the two circles are the known 



