SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. 155 



sacrifices are unaccompanied by dances. Human sacrifices 

 do not exist at present, but there seems to be a tradition 

 that they formerly existed, and were not confined to ene- 

 mies ; but the subject is obscure. 



In fasts they place their principal reliance, considering 

 them as instrumental in producing dreams, which they va- 

 lue above all things ; these are supposed to lose their efii- 

 cacy if they be divulged. 



Polygamy is held to be agreeable in the eyes of the Great 

 Spirit, as he that has most children is held in highest esti- 

 mation ; one of their chiefs had nine wives. 



In the assigning of a name to a child, much interest is 

 taken. The father applies to one whom he considers as 

 well gifted or favoured by the spirits above, and entreats 

 him to bestow a name upon his offspring. A day is fixed 

 for the ceremony ; the friend settles what objects will be 

 required on the occasion, and whatever they may be, the 

 parent never fails in providing them ; if not from his own 

 hunt, he obtains them from others. Guests are invited ; as 

 soon as the manager appears, the whole of the provisions 

 are placed before him ; he takes for himself the head, heart, 

 and other choice parts. The residue he divides among the 

 guests. The tobacco being laid before him, he fills a pipe, 

 offers the stem to the spirits, smokes of it himself, and then 

 proceeds to relate his own adventures, his experience in reli- 

 gious matters, his intercourse with spirits, &c. He gene- 

 rally premises by observing, that when young, he dreamt 

 of a certain object, and valuing his dream much, had never 

 divulged the subject of it, but that, in consideration of his 

 great regard for his friend, he will mention the objects of 

 his dream, and name his young friend after it. He then 

 relates the circumstances attending it, and bestows the 

 name upon the child. It is immediately repeated by all 



