110 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL 80 
like dogs in their determination to accomplish their purpose. It 
was as though they were, for the time, possessed of the spirit of dogs. 
_ The purpose of the “Crazy Dogs” was said to be the protection of 
the women and children in time of war and loyalty of its members 
to one another when in battle, its members being required to rescue 
a comrade, though it were at the risk of their own lives. 
The mark of membership in the “ Half-shaved-heads” was the 
cutting of the hair short on both sides of the head, leaving a stiff, 
erect crest of hair extending from the forehead to the nape of the 
neck. 
The first age-society of the Mandan was called So’lita, meaning 
White. Wounded Face said that he was at a loss to explain this 
name, as the native term was used only to designate a color. He 
belonged to the society when a boy and never sold his membership, 
the society passing out of existence because of changes in the life of 
the tribe. The boys were not trained in stealth, as were the boys of 
the Stone Hammer Society among the Hidatsa. The Fox Society is 
common to many tribes of the plains, the term usually referring to 
the kit fox. It was said that the Young Dog, Foolish (or Crazy) 
Dog, and Dog Societies were “all the same organization.” The 
significance and purpose of the society was undoubtedly the same as 
among the Hidatsa. The origin and character of the Black Mouth 
Society, as well as a legend concerning the origin of the Buffalo 
Society, have already been noted (pp. 47, 84-85). The distinction 
between dances of the Buffalo Society and the “ Buffalo medicine 
dance” is mentioned on page 36. Wounded Face said that members 
of the Coarse Hair Society wore a headdress of buffalo hair, which 
was twisted together, making long strands that hung down before 
their faces. 
Bear-on-the-flat related certain experiences which are of interest 
in connection with admission to the boy’s societies. He said that 
when he and a few other boys were too young to join the Fox Society 
they wanted to “hang around ” at the time of the meetings, but the 
Fox Society would not let them. So they voluntarily carried wood 
and water for the Young Dog Society whenever they had a meeting. — 
This was appreciated and the little boys were allowed to sit in the 
dusky edge of the lodge during the meetings of the Young Dog 
Society. In this manner the boys learned many songs, and as soon 
as they were old enough they joined the Young Dog Society. He 
said that a boy, when joining this society, was said to “purchase 
the songs” from an old man of the same clan whom he called his 
“father.” The boy was required to spend a certain number of even- 
ings with the old man, rehearsing the songs which he sang at the 
first meeting he attended. The songs transmitted in this manner 
