1896-97 J THE DENES OF AMERICA IDENTIFIED WITH THE TINGUS OF ASIA. I99 



God of \Vai\ to make vows by fuming tobacco. On the evening 

 therefore, before they depart, the warriors are summoned to appear 

 before the chief in their martial uniforms. The women also attend, and 

 they are attired in their richest robes. Having formed a circle, the 

 musicians stand in the midst. Their music is very simple, for it consists 

 only of two instruments, which produce neither harmony nor order. 

 The dancers, however, keep time to the cadence of the music. This 

 dance, as usual, was a ring or circle in which they moved roundwards 

 incessantly, till it was announced to seat themselves on the ground 

 to partake of tlie feast, the principal dish of which consists of the flesh 

 of a white dog. Before the dog is put into the kettle they perform 

 several ceremonies in offering him while alive to the Great Spirit ; for 

 they imagine that no animal is more pleasing, in a sacrifice, than a white 

 dog. All their feasts are supplied with the flesh of the dog, and they 

 might as well be called sacrifices ■a.s feasts \ because the offering of the 

 dog to their Supreme Deity always precedes the feast. After the dogs 

 are consumed they rise and renew their dances. The first thing, how- 

 ever, after the feast, is the offering of the Potoosi to the Great Spirit by 

 the senior chief The fumes of the pipe are directed upwards towards 

 the Great Spirit. This ceremony resembles, in a great measure, the 

 Asiatic offering of incense. When the Chief imagines that the Deity is 

 fully satisfied with this act of adoration, every warrior in his turn takes 

 the pipe, which is decorated with various ornaments, and, at every quiff, 

 promises to adhere to his commander, and never fly from his enemy. 

 At the same time he relates what he has done in favour of his nation, 

 and he foretells his future achievements. The Chief takes the Potoosi a 

 second time, and, at every quiff, he enumerates the various engage- 

 ments in which he conquered his enemies. The whole assembly then 

 join in applauding his bravery and undaunted spirit. The feast of the 

 Potoosi is concluded with the song of death, in which they swear 

 vengeance against their enemies. Then they retire to their cabins 

 or huts, to prepare for their departure on the following morning." 



Mr. Mcintosh, referring to the festiv^als of dreams, which he compares 

 to the ancient Saturnalia and modern Carnivals, remarks : " According 

 to Abernethy, they paint and disguise themselves when they go abroad, 

 without paying any respect either to morality or decency. Many of 

 them, especially among the Tongusi, says the same author, consider this 

 a favourable opportunity of revenging insults and injuries, because they 

 imagine that they are not known to the sufferer. * * * Abernethy 

 speaks of his having disguised himself on one of these occasions among 

 the Coriaks for the sole purpose, as he himself tells us, of saving his life ; 

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