308 THE OSAGE TKIBE. fETH. ann.39 



2. 



On my legs I set forth; this mystic spirit I ask you to distribute. 



3. 

 In my body I set forth; this mystic spirit I ask you to distribute. 



4. 

 With my arms I set forth; this mystic spirit I ask you to distribute. 



5. 

 With my head I set forth; this mystic spirit I ask you to distribute. 



6. 

 With my mouth I set forth; this mystic spirit I ask you to distribute. 



The theme of the sixth song is the acts by which the spirit symbol 

 the scalp taken from the enemy, is prepared for distribution. 



In the series of ceremonial acts to which this song adverts the 

 persons ofRciating simulate the acts of the hunter who performs 

 these in a regular and established order when making the incisions 

 to remove the skin from a deer he has killed. This particular cere- 

 mony, referred to in the sixth song, may have a cryptic reference to 

 a deer ceremony. Be that as it may, it is clear that the two cere- 

 monies have a common purpose. The deer was slain in order that 

 the slayer might live, and the enemy was slain in order that the 

 slayer might live; thus the two ceremonies are brought into close 

 association with each other in the tribal rites that have for their 

 theme thi-oughout the preservation of the life of the jieople. 



According to this song the order observed by the hunter in making 

 the incisions to remove the skin of a slain animal is as follows: (1) the 

 cut is first made down the length of the breast; (2) down the inner 

 sides of the hind legs; (3) down the inner sides of the "arms" or 

 front legs ; (4) the under part of the head ; (5) around the mouth. In 

 two songs used in this ceremony by the Puma gens tlie sequence of 

 the incisions is slightly different. 



A free translation of the first line of each stanza will give the 

 meaning of the song. 



Song 6. 



(Osage version, p. 496; literal translation, p. 617.) 

 (.The music of this song is the same as that of Song 4.) 



FREE TRANSLATION. 

 1. 



Unfold ye, my grandfather; let the breast be cut. 



2. 

 Unfold ye, my grandfather; let the hind legs be cut. 



