g2 USES OF PLANTS BY INDIANS [eth. ann.33 



u- to its use. Tlu-y were lookinf; for it in decayed spots caused by 

 tiippitiK tin- trees for the purpose of sugar niakinp. for these people 

 still make su^'ar from tlie sup of tlie boxelder. 



roI.Vl'ORACEAE BRACKET FUNGI 



PoLTSTICTlS VERHICOI/IR ( L. ) Fr. 



(•ha' rufk-jHi (Dakota), "tree ears" (cha'; wood or tree: na^kpa, 

 ear). 



The Dakota use tiiis fungus for food when young and tender, ex- 

 cept specimens growing on ash trees (Fraxinufi) , which they say 

 are bitter. They are prepared by boiling. 



USTILAGINACEAE SMUTS 



rsTii..\c.o MATDI3 (DC.) Cda. Corn .Smut. 



Wahaba Kthi (Omaha-Ponca) : literally, "corn sores" or "blis- 

 ters"' (i/'rtAffi«, corn). 



This fungus was used foi- food by l)oth Omaha and Pawnee. For 

 tliis purpose the spore fruits were gathered as soon as they appeared, 

 while firm and white, and boiled. They were said to be very good. 



Lycoi'ekdaceae putfball.s 



Ltcoperdon gejimatum Batsch., Calvatia ctathafokmis (Bosc.) 

 Morg.. BovisTA plumbea Pers. Puffball. 



IIoh-Khi rh^kpa (Dakota), "baby's navel"' {hokshi, baby; chekpa, 

 navel). 



The Pawnee name is Kaho rahik {kaho, the name + rahik, 

 old), descriptive of it in the stage when it is used as a styptic. 



The prairie mushrooms, commonly de.signated puffballs, wei-e 

 gathered and kept for use as a styptic for any wounds, especially 

 for ap[)lication to the umbilicus of newborn infants. From its uni- 

 versal application to this use among the Dakota is derived their name 

 for the ])uffball. In the young .stage it is used for food. It is used 

 also as a styptic by the Ponca and the Omaha. While white and 

 firm, before the spores formed, it was sometimes roasted for food 

 by the Omaha, but this u.se was unknown to my informant among 

 the Dakota. 



ITei.vellaceae 



Mohchella ehcilenta (L.) Pers. Morel. 



Mikai Kth'i (Omaha- Ponca). "star sore" {mikai, star; Hfhi, sore). 

 They are much esteemed fcjr food and are eaten boiled. 



