66 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 187 



This stolid, cloven-hoofed rmninant was impressive not only 

 because of massed nmnbers, but also because of bulk. A bull might 

 weigh 1,700 to 1,800 pounds and have a length of 10 feet; cows usually 

 weighed only 800 pounds. Its bulk was visually increased by humped 

 shoulders, shaggy beard and chest, in contrast with the short-haired 

 rear half, spindly legs, and flimsy tail (Burgess, 1928 a, pp. 323-326). 

 When aroused, the bull could be fierce and dangerous; he could charge 

 with his strong curved horns or trample an adversary. A herd in 

 panic or anger thundered and roared over the ground. When left 

 alone, the buffalo would molest no one, but would wander in peaceful 

 multitudes from pasture to pasture, munching at grass or licking 

 salt clay when it was available. 



In contrast with the Plains impersonation of milling herds (Catlin, 

 1841, vol. 1, pp. 86-87), the Woodland buffalo dancers line up in 

 single fUe, facing center and clomping sideward slowly and heavily. 

 This arrangement conforms to the Woodland round pattern, but it 

 may also refer to the fact that western buffalo appeared in herds 

 without orderly array, but eastern herds tramped to and from their 

 watering places — river or creek — in single fUe on a well-beaten path. 



The Seneca mime of today is not fearsome; employs no mask or 

 face blackening.^' The hunching, butting, and bellowing of "rival" 

 bulls is intended for laughter. Hunting mime is absent. Veneration 

 has become symbolic. The rite cures pathological shoulder hunching. 

 Conductors give the patient salt clay or just salt, in token of the beast's 

 fondness. The singers address him as wenisa, meaning "fierce one" 

 in the Meskwaki tongue; sometimes they mention the spirit buffalo, 

 underworld monster, dyonyosquat. 



Bear: 



The Iroquois Bear Dance forms part of a widespread cult (Hallo well, 

 1926). The enactment refers to Ursus americanus americanus, the 

 American and in particular the Woodland Black Bear, which is found 

 throughout Eastern North America (for specific range, see Hall and 

 Kelson, 1959, pp. 866-867). This creature stands 3 feet high when 

 on all fours, and is 6 feet long. His physical appearance and habits 

 could inspire awe and at the same time suggest human attributes. 

 Among the quasi-human qualities are his frequently upright posture, 

 his walk on full foot with five toes, his lack of a tail, and functional 

 manipulation of forepaws (Burgess, 1928 a, pp. 280-289). His 

 waddling gait can accelerate to a run. 



The Iroquois have recognized the humorous as well as the formidable 

 traits of the bear. They imitate his uncouth, relaxed waddle, his 



2> Disguise by face blackening is still practiced by the Meskwaki of Iowa and the New Mexico Pueblo 

 Indians. The latter also wear a homed headgear similar to the costume of 19th-century Mandans and other 

 Plains tribes. (See Maximilian, 1906, p. 79, pi. 51; Catlin, 1841, vol. 1, pp. 186-187.) 



