Ixxxvi INTRODUCTION. 



the sun, with which the superior spirits were constantly 

 confounded by the primitive Indian. In recent times, 

 when Judaism and Christianity have modified his relig- 

 ious ideas, it has been, and still is, the practice to sacri- 

 fice dogs to the Great Spirit. On these public occasions, 

 the sacrificial function is discharged by chiefs, or by war- 

 riors appointed for the purpose.^ 



Among the Huron s and Iroquois, and indeed all the 

 stationary tribes, there was an incredible number of 

 mystic ceremonies, extravagant, puerile, and often dis- 

 gusting, designed for the cure of the sick or for the 

 general weal of the community. Most of their observ- 

 ances seem originally to have been dictated by dreams, 

 and transmitted as a sacred heritage from generation to 

 generation. They consisted in an endless variety of 

 dances, masqueradings, and nondescript orgies ; and a 

 scrupulous adherence to all the traditional forms was 

 held to be of the last moment, as the slightest failure in 

 this respect might entail serious calamities. If children 

 were seen in their play imitating any of these mysteries, 

 they were grimly rebuked and punished. In many tribes 

 secret magical societies existed, and still exist, into which 



1 Many of the Indian feasts were feasts of sacrifice, — sometimes to 

 the guardian spirit of the host, sometimes to an animal of which he has 

 dreamed, sometimes to a local or other spirit. The food was first offered 

 in a loud voice to the being to be propitiated, after which the guests 

 proceeded to devour it for him. This unique method of sacrifice was 

 practised at war-feasts and similar solemnities. For an excellent account 

 of Indian rehgious feasts, see Perrot, Chap. V. 



One of the most remarkable of Indian sacrifices was that practised 

 by the Hurons in the case of a person drowned or frozen to death. The 

 flesh of the deceased was cut off", and thrown into a fire made for the pur- 

 pose, as an offering of propitiation to the spirits of the air or water. 

 What remained of the body was then buried near the fire. — Brebeuf, 

 Relallon des Hurons, 1636, 108. 



The tribes of Virginia, as described by Beverly and others, not only 

 had priests who offered sacrifice, but idols and houses of worship. 



