Description of some Sepulchral Pits of Indian Origin. 97 



years, among some tribes, every ten years among the Hixrons and 

 the Troquois. It was called the ' FHe (les Morts" or the ' Festin des 

 Ames.' It commenced by the appointment of a place where they should 

 meet. They then chose a king of the fete, whose duty it was to arrange 

 everything, and send invitations to the neighbouring villages. The ap- 

 pointed day arrived, all the Indians assembled and went in procession 

 two and two to the cemetery. In some tribes of stationary habits, the 

 cemetery was a regular burial-ground outside the village. Some buried 

 their dead at the foot of a tree, and others suspended them on a scaiFold 

 to dry ; this last was a customary proceeding among them when absent 

 from home on a hunting excursion, so that on their return they might 

 more conveniently carry the body with them. 



" Arrived at the cemetery, they proceeded to search for the bodies ; 

 they then waited for some time to consider in silence a spectacle so ca- 

 pable of furnishing serious reflections. The women first interrupted the 

 silence by cries of lamentation, which increased the feeling of horror 

 with which each person seemed overcome. They then used to take the 

 bodies, arrange the separate and Avy bones, and place them in packets to 

 carry on their shoulders. If any of the bodies were not entirely decom- 

 posed, they separated the flesh, washed them, and enclosed them in new 

 beaver-skins. They then returned in the same procession they came in 

 to the village, and each deposited his burden in his ' laban." During the 

 procession the women used to continue their lamentations, and the men 

 to testify the same marks of grief as on the day of death ; and this second 

 act was followed by a feast in each house in honour of the dead of the 

 family. The following days were considered public days— spent as days 

 of interment, in dancing, games, and combats, at which prizes were be- 

 stowed. From time to time they uttered certain cries, which they called 

 ' les cris des ames." They made presents to strangers, and received pre- 

 sents from them. These strangers sometimes came 150 leagues. They 

 also took advantage of this occasion to treat on public affairs, or elect a 

 chief. Everything used to pass with order, decency, and moderation ; 

 and every one seemed overcome with sentiments suitable to the occasion. 

 Everything, even the dances and songs, used to breathe grief in some 

 '**^ay, and every one to be so overcome with melancholy, that the most in- 

 different spectator would have been touched by the sight. After some 

 days they all went in procession to a grand council-room fitted for the 

 occasion. They there suspended against the walls the bones and bodies 

 in the same state as they had taken them from the cemetery, and placed 

 there the presents intended for the dead. If among the relics there hap- 

 pened to be those of a chief, his successor used to give a great feast in 

 his name. In some places the bodies were paraded from village to vil- 

 lage, and received everywhere with great demonstration of grief and 

 tenderness, and everywhere presents were given them. They then took 

 them to the place destined to be their final resting-place. All these ce- 

 remonies were accomi)aiiied with music, both instrumental and vocal, to 

 which each marched in cadence. 



" The last and common place of burial used to be a large pit (fosu), 

 which was lined with the finest skins, and anything which they considered 

 valuable. The presents destined for the dead were placed on one side, 

 and wlien the procession arrived, each family arranged itself on a sort of 

 scaffold, erected round the pit ; and, as soon as the bodies were deposited, 



VOL. XLV. NO. LX.XXIX. — JUhY 1848. G 



