114 EXPEDITION TO THE 



The union of persons related by blood was likewise dis- 

 liked, and discouraged. An incestuous connexion was at 

 all times considered as highly criminal, but no punishment 

 was attached to it. Instances of it are not, however, as 

 riire as might be expected. Among the Potawatomis we 

 heard of several. We were told at Chicago of two cases, 

 which were accompanied by circumstances of an aggra- 

 vating nature. A Potawatomi of the name of W^a-ga-k^'- 

 na-go'n, died a short time since, aged about fifty; he had 

 married his mother-in-law, previous to wdiich he had been 

 connected w^ith two of his daughters. He denied the con- 

 nexion with his elder daughter, who, however, acknowledg- 

 ed that he had seduced her, by promising to teach her a spell 

 by which she would be enabled to destroy her enemies, by 

 writing their names on sand. A few months afterwards, 

 he was detected in an intercourse with his second daugh- 

 ter, whom he had likewise seduced. Both the women open* 

 ly confessed their guilt, but with very little appearance of 

 shame. This did not prevent their marrying subsequent- 

 ly. After these abominable transactions, he married their 

 grandmother, who was the mother of his first wife. Ano- 

 ther man belonging to the same nation, and who had be- 

 come a chief by the death of his brother, is known to have 

 had intercourse with a woman that was the mother of his 

 first wife. He afterwards deserted both, and took a third 

 wife. The two other women, both mother and daugh- 

 ter, were subsequently married ; this man's name was 

 0-zan-6'-f ap, ( YcUoiv-head. ) But all these connexions are 

 lield in utter abhorrence by the nation at large, and those 

 who contract them are considered as base and worthless 

 members of the community. 



The circumstances which attend funerals arc likewise 

 worthy of notice. They have, it is true, but few cerem6- 



