3]8 "medicine-men." 



or that some form was omitted in its preparation. 

 The office seems to be druidical in its tendency ; 

 much has to be gone through by the neophyte 

 before he can be initiated into its mysteries, which 

 are conducted with much secresy. It is certainly an 

 important and valuable office ; none but the privi- 

 leged can " make medicine or venture to predict ;" 

 ridicule and failure would be sure to follow such 

 attempt. These are the doctors of the tribes ; they 

 are acquainted Avitli many herbal and mineral reme- 

 dies, among which are emetics, and cures for 

 spasms, also plants for staunching blood, and of 

 healing properties. A favourite prescription is the use of 

 the vapour-bath, and from my slight knowledge of their 

 habits, I should think that many of their disorders 

 may be removed by aqueous visitation. 



The patient is placed in a tightly closed tent, 

 wherein are heated stones upon which water is 

 thrown ; after remaining in the bath for awhile it 

 is not unusual to dash right into the ice-cold 

 streams ; nor does this seem to do any harm. 

 Singing is much practised, but it is, though varied, 

 of a very humdrum nature. I heard a good deal 

 of this by our old friend at Bear Lake;^ — some- 

 times he sang or droned for singing's sake; at others 

 his lay was in a tone of lament for the dusky 



