1914] Northwestern Den^s and Northeastern Asiatics 175 



former. For no less an authority than Wrangell tells us, with regard 

 to a certain Tchuktchi chief he saw, that "his cap was much ornamented 

 with beads and ear-rings, and surmounted by a large raven's head, 

 which he told us would ensure us a fortunate journey and a good recep- 

 tion".^ 



The raven was evidently the personal totem of that chief, and we 

 are perhaps warranted to infer from Wrangell's last words that it was 

 also the totem of at least a particular clan among the people to whom 

 they were going. It is well known that community of clan, denoted 

 by an identity of totem, invariably ensures the most brotherly reception 

 in any strange place. 



As to the Koriacks, among whom Frazer likewise fails to see any 

 trace of totemism, here is what I read in an old English author. Aber- 

 nethy refers to their dress: "The tanned covering", he says, "is gener- 

 ally painted with considerable taste. The figures represent those 

 animals which have been chosen by each tribe as their distinguishing 

 marks ".2 



Here, therefore, we have, not only personal, but tribal, totemism. 



The same author says of those Asiatics when on the war-path: 

 "The Coriaks have their tutelar deities which they carry with them on 

 these expeditions. These symbols under which every one represents 

 his familiar spirit, are painted with various colours, and carried in sacks. 

 When they travel by water they place the sacks which contain them, 

 their presents, and other valuable articles in the fore part of their canoes, 

 where the chief sits with no other intention, I suppose, than that of 

 honouring them".^ 



1" Narrative of an Expedition to the Polar Sea", p. 349. Since the above was 

 written I have found the following concerning the same subject in the Proceedings of 

 the Eighteenth International Congress of Americanists. It is from the pen of a Russian 

 who lately studied systematically the inhabitants of the Aleutian Islands and of Eastern 

 Siberia. "Every ancient Aleut has his animal protector or ugdux, received from his 

 father or some other relative or shaman, which was in the shape of an animal's skin, to 

 be put on that he might be transformed into the corresponding animal in case of danger, 

 struggle, or contest" (W. Jochelson, " Riabouschinsky Expedition to the Aleutian 

 Islands", p. 340). The reader will remember that, according to Petitot's informants, 

 the Denes formerly lived in the midst of a people whose men had the faculty of trans- 

 forming themselves into animals. We have seen that the other attributes of that 

 wonderful nation, such as their cuirasses, their wooden helmets, etc., tally to perfection 

 with what we learn of the ancient Aleuts and their neighbours. In the light of what 

 Jochelson now tells us, those people must have boasted the power of assuming the 

 shape of their protecting animal ; might not this be another link in our identification 

 of the Denes' traditional enemies? 



*Apud Mcintosh, "The Origin of the North American Indians", p. 116. 



' Ibid., p. 151. 



