INDIAN CHARMS 491 



curse the game when it escapes, nor does he blame his gun 

 or dog; they also must be charmed with special beenas. 



There does not appear to be any connection with either 

 good or evil spirits, except perhaps in the case of the water- 

 mamma or manatee, which is supposed to upset the corial 

 and carry people down to a kind of fairyland beneath the 

 dark waters. It can easily be understood that the dark 

 coffee-colored river or creek is a mystery. It is not trans- 

 parent, and therefore is unlike clear mountain streams; its 

 depths are impenetrable. The cayman, perai or sting ray may 

 be there, but they are not visible. These dangers are known, 

 but it is quite possible to the Indian that some strange crea- 

 ture may be at work about the rapids to produce whirlpools 

 and cross currents. Then again, there are submerged rocks 

 and masses of those clinging weeds, which hamper a swim- 

 mer, as well as hooked palms, which may hold and upset a 

 small corial. The real dangers are mixed up with the siren, 

 until they form one being, who may be perhaps mischievous, 

 but hardly evil. It may be repelled or propitiated by rub- 

 ring the bulb of the red lily over the corial before encoun- 

 tering the danger. It may be safely stated, however, that in 

 this as in other cases, the use of the charm does not make the 

 paddler less careful. 



The tiny element of superstition in the idea of the water- 

 mamma suggests something similar in the Kinaima. The 

 avenger of blood is a reality, but his supposed preternatural 

 capabilities are mythical. He carries out a duty which is 

 often most painful and arduous, and as might be expected 

 is assisted by a beena. 



No one can tell the real thoughts of another; we are 

 often at a loss to explain our own. We cannot understand 

 the meaning of many words which are common in our 

 mouths. It is not therefore to be supposed that we can get 

 a true theory of the beena cult. We may say they are charms 

 to promote good luck, medicines or ordeals. It has been said 

 that the word means to attract, but this does not cover all 



