132 I-'Sl-S OF PI.AT;TS BV IXDIANS [eth. ann. 33 



SiLPiia-M I'EKKoLiATU.M L. Cup-phint, S(iuare-stem, Angle-stem. 

 Zha taiuja (Omaha-Ponca), big-weed, because of its size; ashude- 

 kithe because of the use of root stocks in tlie smoke treatment ; 

 and zlui-haho-hi, weed with angled stem {zha, weed; haho, hav- 

 ing corners; hi, plant body). 

 Rake-ni-ozhit (Winnebago), w'eed that holds water (/v/Ze, weed; ■;*/, 

 water; ozku, in, full or containing). Another name is rake- 

 para jxiratsh, square- weed {paraparatsh, square). 

 The root stock of this plant was very conmionly used in the smoke 

 treatment for cold in the head, neuralgia, and rheumatism. It was 

 used also in the vapor bath. A Winnebago medicine-man said a 

 decoction was made from the root stock which was used as an emetic 

 in preparatory cleansing and lustration before going on the buffalo 

 hunt or on any other important undertaking. It was thus used 

 also for cleansing from ceremonial defilement incident to accidental 

 pro.ximity to a woman during her menstrual period. 

 SiLPiiiusr LACiNiATt'M L. Pilot Weed, Compass Plant, Gum Weed, 

 Kosin AVeed. 

 Cha.''shi-shi''Ja (Dakota), Teton dialect, cha^shUshihja. 

 Zha-pa (Omaha-Ponca), bitter weed {sha, weed; pa, bitter), and 



maka'^-ianga, big medicine, or root. 

 Shoka''wa-hu (Winnebago), gum plant {sJwko'"'wa, gaTo) . 

 Kahts-tawas (Paw-nee), rough medicine (kahtsu, medicine; 

 tawas, rough) ; also called niikhokiit or 7iakhu-kiitsu {nakku, 

 pine ; kiitm, water) . 

 The children gathered chewing gum from the upper parts of the 

 stem, where the gum exudes, forming large lumps. The Omaha and 

 Ponca siiy that where this plant abounds lightning is very prevalent, 

 so they will never make camp in such a place. The dried root was 

 burned during electrical storms that its smoke might act as a charm 

 to avert lightning stroke. According to a Pawnee a decoction made 

 from the pounded root was taken for geneial debility. This prep- 

 aration was given to horses as a tonic by the Omaha and Ponca, and 

 a Santee Dakota said his people used it as a vermifuge for horses. 



Ambrosia elatior L. Ragweed. 



AMiite Horse, an Omaha medicine-man, said that this plant was 

 an Oto remedy for nausea. In the treatment the surface of the 

 abdomen of the patient was first scarified and a dressing of the 

 bruised leaves was laid thereon. 



Boebera papposa (Vent.) Rydb. Fetid Marigold, Prairie-dog Food. 

 Pizpiza-ta-wote (Dakota), prairie-dog food (pizpiza, prairie dog; 



wote, food; ta, genitive sign). 

 Pezhe piazhi (Omaha-Ponca), vile weed, referring to its odor 



ipezhe. herb; piazhi, bad, mean, ^^le). 

 Askntstat (Pawnee). 



