36 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



In return the spirit gives directions for the wearing 

 of certain charms, abstinence from particular food, 

 and other matters. Of these charms there is a 

 considerable variety, bones and teeth of animals, 

 pieces of deer skin in which are stitched up bits of 

 deer flesh and sundry articles equally efficacious. 

 It is worthy of note that in cases where the wilful 

 transgression of a taboo has taken place, confession 

 on the part of the offender invariably removes the 

 calamity that resulted as a punishment. In the 

 case of a famine, for instance, the guilty person is 

 sought. If he confesses, the seals will allow them 

 selves to be caught. If he obstinately maintains 

 his innocence, his death alone can appease the 

 offended deity. 



Mention was made of Sedna as one of the chief 

 deities. She has special dominion over the sea, the 

 weather, and certain sea-animals the creation of 

 which is attributed to her. There are variations 

 in her story in different localities, but the main 

 features are generally the same everywhere. 



" Sedna lived with her father in the Eskimo 

 country. She was a beautiful girl, and was wooed 

 by many of the Eskimo youths. But to none of 

 her lovers would she give her heart. At last, a 

 fulmer, a kind of sea-gull, wooed and won her 

 affections. The bird promised her a lovely tent, 

 plenty of food, and everything that would gladden 

 the heart of a fair Eskimo lady. Trusting his 



