THE -MERMAID. iSg 



but the legends connected with them have not been pre- 

 served. 



The North- American Indians relate that they were 

 conducted from Northern Asia by a man-fish. Once upon 

 a time, according to the legend, in the season of opening 

 buds, the people of their nation were terrified by seeing a 

 strange creature like a man riding upon the waves. He 

 had upon his head long green hair, resembling the coarse 

 weeds which mighty storms scatter along the margin of 

 the strand. Upon his face, which was like that of a 

 porpoise, he had a beard of the same colour, and they saw 

 that from his breast down he was a fish, or rather two 

 fishes, for each of his legs was a whole and distinct fish. 

 He would sit for hours singing to the wondering Indians 

 of the beautiful things he saw in the depths of the ocean, 

 always closing his strange descriptions with the words : 

 " Follow me, and see what I shall show you." For many 

 suns they dared not venture upon the water, but when they 

 became hungry they at last put to sea, and, following the 

 man-fish, who kept close to their boat, reached the coast of 

 America.* 



Amongst the Mandans, the landing of Noah from the 

 ark and the events of the deluge are commemorated with 

 religious ceremonies even at the present day, and a rude 

 image of the ark, which has been handed down from 

 generation to generation, is still preserved amongst 

 them.f 



* ' Traditions of the North American Indians/ J. A. Jones, 1830, 

 p. 47. 



t George Catlin, in his ' North American Indians,' vol. i. p. 88, 

 says . i n the centre of the village is an open space, or public square, 

 1 50 feet in diameter, and circular in form, which is used for all public 

 games and festivals, shows and exhibitions. The lodges around this 



