30 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL. 80 
Taste 16.—Change of time (measure lengths) —The proportion 
of Mandan and Hidatsa songs containing no change of time is 
the same as in the Sioux, smaller than in the Chippewa, and larger 
than in the Ute. 
Comparing the several classes of Mandan and Hidatsa songs, we 
note a persistent change of time in songs connected with eagle catch- 
ing, songs of the societies, and miscellaneous songs, while the war 
songs contain more than the usual proportion in which there is no 
change of time. 
Taste 17.—Rhythmic unit—The term “rhythmic unit” should 
be understood as somewhat flexible in its application. In a song 
with definite thematic development the term is applicable in its 
full meaning. There are, however, many songs in which a repeti- 
tion of the opening phrase is designated as a rhythmic unit, and in 
such instances a reason will be found in the influence which the 
phrase has upon the rhythm of the entire song, certain of its count 
divisions being separately repeated, slightly changed, and variously 
combined. In a few instances it will be noted that a short phrase 
occurring twice is not designated as a rhythmic unit, the reason being 
that the phrase is characterless, and evidently has had no influence 
on the rest of the song. 
One-third of the Mandan and Hidatsa songs contain no rhythmic 
unit. This proportion is lower than in the Chippewa and Sioux 
and higher than in the Ute songs. Fifty-seven per cent of the 
Mandan and Hidatsa songs contain one rhythmic unit, which is the 
same as the Sioux and less than the Chippewa and Ute. The tribal 
groups show a wide difference in songs containing two rhythmic 
units, this difference ranging from 1 per cent in the Chippewa to 
18 per cent in the Ute. It is important to note that the Chippewa 
may be considered the tribe that is farthest advanced toward civi- 
lization, while the Ute is lowest in that scale of attainment. 
Few of the Mandan and Hidatsa garden songs contain a rhythmic 
unit, but in the songs of eagle catching and in all the songs of 
societies a rhythmic unit appears with frequency. Half of the 
Mandan and Hidatsa war songs contain a rhythmic unit. This 
is in contrast to the Chippewa war songs, 70 per cent of which con- 
tain a rhythmic unit, and the Sioux war songs, 64 per cent of which 
show such a unit. 
_ Taste 18.—Rhythm of drum—Among the Mandan and Hidatsa 
the drum appears to be used chiefly to mark the time of the song. 
It is usually synchronous with the voice. There is a lack of the 
elaboration which was shown by the special drumbeat for each sort 
> Terminology, throughout the present study of Indian music, is intended chiefly as a 
guide to the student and a means of calling attention to certain peculiarities which seem 
of interest and importance in the study of Indian music. 
