140 Anthropological Papers American Museumof Natural History. [Vol. XXI, 



the cover is lowered again, the second man sings four songs. Then seven cupfuls are 

 poured on the stones. When the door is raised, the singer says, " May we reach the 

 next spring without death or sickness!" Again, the rest cry, " ah6!" The door is 

 lowered and the third singer sings four songs. Just as soon as he is done, ten cupfuls 

 are poured on the stones. The door is opened, and the man prays, " May we reach 

 the time when the berries are ripe!" Once more the cover is lowered, and the fourth 

 man sings his songs, after which as many cupfuls are poured on the stones as they 

 please. When the door is raised, ise is chewed and rubbed over the sweaters' bodies, 

 then they pass outside. The medicine-bags are laid on a blanket, with their openings 

 towards the mountains. Tnen the bags are taken to a large tent, where the members 

 of the adopting society assemble. The novice is called in. Horses and other property 

 are presented to the members. Then the bags are opened, and the boy picks out from 

 each one whatever medicine he likes, passing from one to another. The owner of each 

 bag gives the novice a song, then he is a full-fledged member. 



In the following description by Medicine-crow, mingling his per- 

 sonal experiences with general statements, still greater emphasis is 

 given to the sweatlodge ceremony. 



The oldest man in the Otter society was Hunts-the-enemy. He had been adopted 

 by Restless-old-man, who in turn adopted Medicine-crow. One day Hunts-the- 

 enemy brought meat to my informant, and said, '* Eat this, I desire to adopt you." 

 Medicine-crow accepted the gift, thus expressing his willingness. When he was 

 initiated, all the Tobacco chapters were present. For three successive nights they 

 sang and prepared a feast in his honor. On the fourth night Hunts-the-enemy pre- 

 sented quilts and other property to four different members, each of whom then gave 

 Medicine-crow one song that was to be his special property. Thus he acquired four 

 songs. Then an adoption lodge was put up. Medicine-crow was first taken to a large 

 preliminary tipi, where the Tobacco chapters met. In marching towards the adop- 

 tion lodge, they walked in single file. At the first stop, a man was chosen to sing. 

 They walked some distance, then another singer was chosen. After walking a little 

 farther, they selected a third man to sing at the next halting-place. Each of the sing- 

 ers sang four songs. After a fourth man had sung, they entered the lodge. A woman 

 stood outside with a big bucket of water. The owner of the lodge picked out a re- 

 nowned warrior, who sang as though praying. After this man had sung four songs, 

 the Owner sent him for the water. He returned with the water, and entered the 

 lodge. The Owner put some fruit into his mouth, which the warrior did not touch. 

 Then the warrior prayed that there should be no sickness in the camp and that no 

 horses should die that year. As soon as his prayer was ended, all cried, "ah6!" 

 Then the owner selected a man who had killed enemies as they were seated round a 

 fire. Only such a man has the prerogative of building a little fire in the adoption 

 lodge, but first he recounts his exploit: "At such a time I killed an enemy who had 

 a fire. I brought home a scalp, and all my people rejoiced. This year I hope that 

 all my people will be glad." 



In the old days a kettle with tongues was placed over the fire, but nowadays 

 oranges and canned goods are obtained from the store. When everything was ready, 

 a herald announced, " Everything is over, and all the relatives may bring property!" 

 Then Medicine-crow's relatives brought in property. Young men of martial distinc- 

 tion intruded red-striped sticks into the lodge, and those within impaled tongues 



