THE CALUMET. 49 



of the nation by them in 1729. ' The Sun has 

 eaten/ proclaimed an official functionary daily, 

 before the Ruling Sun, after his morning's repast ; 

 'the rest of the princes of the earth may now eat.'" 



From this interesting extract we may gather, 

 that the Algic race were much more advanced in 

 the forms of government and association of tribes 

 than the more northern nations, and especially 

 than the 'Tinne, who had no villages when first 

 known to Europeans. Cultivation of the earth 

 was not carried on to the north of the Chippeway 

 country, since maize does not prosper in America 

 beyond the 52nd parallel. 



M'Kenney relates that a Chippeway widow must 

 carry a bundle of rags, or a doll, which is called 

 her husband, constantly in her arms, until the re- 

 lations of the deceased think that she has mourned 

 long enough, when one of them releases her from 

 it. This occurs generally at the expiration of a 

 year, and the widow is then allowed to marry 

 again ; but the probation may be extended much 

 longer, if her husband's relations choose. 



The use of the Uspogan, or Calumet, which forms 

 so important a part of every ceremony among the 

 Eythinyuwuk, was not an original practice of the 

 'Tinne, but was introduced to that people by Eu- 

 ropeans along with tobacco, whereas this weed must 

 have been grown from the most ancient times by 



VOL. II. E 



