82 PICTOGRAPHS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 



were indicated by cutting notches into the corners, each tenth cut ex- 

 tending across the face of the stick. For instance, if the herder had 

 thirteen oxen in charge, he selected that edge of the stick which bore 

 upon the handle the >-shape, and cut nine short notches, one long one, 

 and three short ones. 



Labor sticks were also used by the Indians. On one side was a circle 

 intersected with cross lines to denote money, and on the opposite side, 

 which was reserved for time, either nothing or some character, accord- 

 ing to the fancy of the owner. Short notches on the money side indi- 

 cated reals, long cuts pesos. On the opposite side short cuts indicated 

 days, and long cuts weeks. 



For further reference to this subject, see Reliquiae Aquitanicse; etc., 

 by Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy, * * London, 1875, p. 183 

 et seq. 



ORDER OF SONGS. 



Many instances have been published in regard to the use of mnemonic 

 characters to preserve the remembrance of songs. The words of these 

 are invariable as well as the notes to which they are chanted. Both 

 words and notes must have been previously memorized by the singers. 

 Ideographic characters might give the general interpretation, but would 

 not suggest the exact words. 



Schoolcraft, 1, 361, remarks: Sounds are no further preserved by these 

 mnemonic signs, than is incident, more or less, to all pure figurative or 

 representative pictures. The simple figure of a quadruped, a man, or a 

 bird, recalls the name of a quadruped, a man or a bird. * * We may 

 thus recall something of the living language from the oblivion of the 

 past, by the pictorial method. Mnemonic symbols are thus at the 

 threshold of the hieroglyphic. 



One of the best examples of this mnemonic device is one of the Ojib- 

 was, found in Schoolcraft, op. cit., I, page 362 et seq., and called by him 

 Songs of the Meda. His illustration is reproduced as Plate IV, and his 

 explanation, much condensed, is as follows: 



No. 1. A medicine lodge filled with the presence of the Great Spirit, 

 who, it is affirmed, came down with wings to instruct the Indians in 

 these ceremonies. The meda, or priest, sings, " The Great Spirit's lodge — 

 you have heard of it. I will enter it." While this is sung, and repeated, 

 the priest shakes his shi-shi-gwun. and each member of the society holds 

 up one hand in a beseeching manner. All stand, without dancing. The 

 drum is not struck during this introductory chant. 



No. 2. A candidate for admission crowned with feathers, and hold- 

 ing, suspended to his arm, an otter-skin pouch, with the wind repre- 

 sented as gushing out of one end. He sings, repeating after the priest, 

 all dancing, with the accompaniment of the drum and rattle: * * "I 

 have always loved that that I seek. I go into the new green leaf lodge." 



