404 EXPEDITION TO THE 



is prepared ; the relations and friends are invited. The 

 name which is given is generally one derived from some 

 visible object in the heavens or earth. The infant is made 

 to support a pipe, the stem of which is directed towards 

 the object from which the name is taken ; a sacrifice is 

 offered to the spirit which is supposed to reside in that 

 object. These sacrifices are extensive and costly, they 

 consist of dogs and other animals, of skins, of scarlet cloth, 

 tobacco, &c. It appears to us well established that this 

 was originally an Indian institution, and not, as we at first 

 apprehended, a mere imitation of the rejoicings which 

 among some Christian sects attend the ceremony of naming 

 a child. We are told of some Indian nations endeavour- 

 ing to stimulate their youths into dreams, visions, &c.* but 

 this has not appeared to us to be the case with the Dacotas ; 

 when dreams do occur they are held to be favours, and 

 much importance is attached to them, but no attempt is 

 made to give rise to them. 



Polygamy is allowed, and no regulations whatever exist 

 upon this subject ; it appears to be rather tolerated than en- 

 couraged ; every man follows his inclination upon that 

 point, and is esteemed neither more nor less on account of 

 the number of his wives, or children. It is probable that 

 most men have more than one, though few have many wives. 

 The Dacotas destroy neither their children nor their old 

 relations ; to the latter their conduct is perhaps not as kind 

 and attentive as it ought to be ; but they make up for it by 

 their attachment to their children, who receive care and 

 kind treatment in proportion to their wants. The practice 

 of shaping the heads of infants is unknown to them. 



* Transactions of the Historical and Literary Committee of the Ame- 

 rican Philosophical Society. Philadelphia, 1819, vol. I. p. 238. 



