70 CSES OF PLANTS BY INDIANS Ieth. ann. S3 



Maka'-ninUla (Oinulia-Poncii). 



A/Wk-a'-kereK (Winnebago). 



Kaht-iha itu (\\\\\nw): kahtm, medicine; ha, in water; itu, lying. 



All the tribes IidIcI tliis plant in very bigh esteem. It was used 

 as a furmiiiative. a decoction was drunk for fever, and the rootstock 

 was diewt'd as a cougii remedy and as a remedy for toothache. For 

 colic an infusion of the pounded root stock was drunk. As 

 a remedy for colds tiie rootstock was chewed or a decoction was 

 drunk, or it was used in the smoke treatment. In fact, this part of 

 tlie plant seems to have been regarded as a panacea. When a hunt- 

 ing party came to a place where the calamus grew the young men 

 gathered the green blades and braided them into garlands, which 

 tliey wore round the neck for their pleasant odor. It was one of 

 the plants to which mystic powers were ascribed. The blades were 

 used also ceremonially for garlands. In the mystery ceremonies of 

 the Pawnee are songs about the cahimus. 



Among the Tet(m Dakota in old times warriors chewed the root- 

 stock to a paste, wliich they rubbed on the face to prevent excitement 

 and fear in the presence of tiie enemy. 



Co.M M KLI N ACEAE 



Tradescantia virginica L. Spiderwort. Spider Lily. (PI. 5, a.) 

 This is a charmingly beautiful and delicate flower, deep blue in 

 color, with a tender-bodied plant of graceful lines. There is no more 

 appealingly beautiful flower on the western prairies than this one 

 when it is sparkling with dewdrops in the light of the first beams of 

 the rising sun. There is al)out it a suggestion of purity, freshness, 

 and daintiness. 



Wlieii a young man of tiie Dakota Nation is in love, and walking 

 alone on tlie prairie he finds this flower blooming, he sings to it a 

 .song in which he personifies it with the qualities of his sweetheart's 

 character as they are called to his mind by the characteristics figura- 

 tively displayed by the flower before him. In his mind the beauties 

 of tiie flower and of the girl aie nuitually transmuted and flow to- 

 getlier into one image. 



Tiie following song, addressed to TradexvantUi, is translated from 

 tiie Dakota language by Dr. A. McG. Beedo: 



"Wee little (lew.v flower. 

 So blessed and so shy, 

 Thou'rt dear to me. and for 

 My love for thee I'd di«." 



