swANTON] HAIDA TP:XTS AND MYTHS 207 



have heroes and placres dealt with which are strictly insular, forming true Haida 

 "hero tales." The first two sections are of particular importance and were espe- 

 cially well known. The second version of the story of Stone-ribs is of peculiar 

 interest as coniiufr from a man of the town of Xinstints, where tlie descendants of the 

 people of Lg.adA'n afterward lived, and where this particular myth apjjears to have 

 been especially treasured. SFx?, the word which I have translated " Upward," 

 means more strictly "About-in-the-air," referring perhaps to the escape of this hero 

 from his house in the form of a cinder. " Stone-ribs" was the translation given me 

 for (l.odAfixc^wat by my interpreter, butg.cVdAU is also applied to one who discovers 

 hidden thin<rs. The word for rib is xe'wi. 



' Sealion-town (Qa-i-lnaga^-i) was an old town a short distance above Skidegate, 

 on the same side of the inlet. It was occupied by the people of Kaisun before they 

 moved to tlie latter town. 



- 1 d(j not know the true name of this cetacean. It was described as " like a por- 

 poise, only lighter in color." -The Haida word is q!iifi. 



■' An old story town near Dead Tree point, on the northern side of Skidegate inlet, 

 near its entrance. 



* Lg.o'tg.o is perhaps a synonym for Da^gu sg.il'na, the usual name for the super- 

 natural being who tries the strength of heroes. 



'" (lu'lga is the Haida name for the small inlet above Skidegate, wliere the dogfish 

 oil works now stancl which until recently were owned and operated by Mr. Ro))ert 

 Tennant of Victoria. It figures largely in the myths, and many human bones have 

 been turned up there. 



" Xfi'na is the name given to a small stream which falls into Skidegate inlet above 

 Lina island. It was probably from this that Skidegate inlet was called Xa^na qa'ti. 



' G.odanx(ysgi is said to be a tree like a wild crab apple. 



"* Described as " a short, tough bush found in open spaces." 



'••Haida, Djigula^)g.a. Usually it is Mouse-woman (K!a'gAn-djat) who is met in 

 this way, and farther on in this same story the old man inconsistently relaj^ses into 

 the customary name. 



'"A small pond lying buried in the woods back of Gu'Iga. 



" Such seems to be the proper translation of xa'xa wai^gi djIgintVg.e. 



'^The two trunks of the tree were sprung apart at the middle and held there by a 

 cross-piece as follows: 



TniditiiHuil device used in the cupture of the Wa'sg.o. 



'■'This favorite Haida lake monster is represented with the body and head of a 

 wolf and the fins of a killer whale. It went after whales at night and could bring 

 back as many as ten at once upon its back, behind its ears, and in the curl of its tail. 



'^ See note 9. 



'•' Referring to a scandal involving Djila'qons and another supernatural being called 

 Swinuning- russet-backed-thrush. 



""'This paragraph is very interesting, since it appears to imply that most of the 

 supernatural beings l)elonged to the Raven clan. Stone-ribs and his mother were 

 P>agles. 



''The Haida here is somewhat obscure. By thrusting himself under her blanket 

 Swimming-russet-backed-thrush confirms the suspicions regarding his relations with 

 Djila'qons. 



