COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TSIMSHIAN MYTHOLOGY 



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I. (a; A boy is scolded because he has performed some action on a 

 salmon which is considered as offensive, but which really benefits the 

 Salmon chief. 



(b) The Salmon take him to their village, and his life in the village 

 is described. This part contains particularly the incident of obtain- 

 ing food by killing a Salmon boy, who is restored when his bones are 

 tin-own into the water or into the fire. 



(c) When the time for the salmon-run comes, the Salmon take the 

 boy back. Incidentally it is described why the various salmon go to 

 different rivers, and why the salmon appear in a definite seasonal 

 order. 



(d) The boy is captured by his father and cut open by his mother. 

 He is recognized by the copper necklace which he wears, and regains 

 human form. 



(d') The youth returns with his Salmon wife and many presents. 



(e) The salmon taboos are described. 

 (/) The boy becomes a great shaman. 



II. (a) From the Salmon the hoy has attained magical powers, 

 which he uses for catching birds. Owing to a mistake made by his 

 friends, he dies. 



(b) The Salmon take him to their country, and without their 

 knowledge one of his companions goes with him. 



(c) The companion makes himself known to the Salmon boy. 



(d) The companion marries the Salmon chief's daughter. 



(e) The companion is homesick and is taken back. 



III. (a) The youth is covered with feathers and flies up to the Sun. 

 (6) He marries the daughter of the Sun, and is tested by his 



father-in-law. 



(c) He is sent back to his parents. 



The various versions are arranged in the following order: 



