44 CllEES. 



and frequently supplied with a fresh lining of the 

 spray of the balsam fir. This people also occasion- 

 ally erect a larger dwelling of lattice work, covered 

 with birch bark, in which forty men or more can 

 assemble for feasting, debating, or performing some 

 of their religious ceremonies. These erections are 

 chiefly made on the skirts of the bison plains, or in 

 localities where a large number of the nation are 

 accustomed to assemble together. The entire na- 

 tion of the Eythinyuwuk cultivate oratory more 

 than their northern neighbours, who express 

 themselves much more simply and at the same 

 time with much less readiness. 



Neither among the Eskimos nor 'Tinne did I ob- 

 serve any image or visible object of worship ; but 

 most of the Crees carry with them one or more 

 small wooden figures rudely carved, some of which 

 they state to be representatives of a malicious or at 

 least capricious being named Kepuchikan *, to whom 

 they make offerings. They acknowledge other 

 spirits or Manito-wuJc, and demons or vampires 

 called Witako ; but I could not ascertain that prayer 

 was ever made to the Kitche-manito, the " Great 

 Spirit" or "Master of Life." The vapour-bath, 



* Or Gepuchikan. The propensities as well as designation 

 of this being resemble those of " Puck." Dr. Johnson derives 

 the latter word and Pug, from the Icelandic and Gothic word 

 Puke, signifying " a hobgoblin." 



