252 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [eth.amn.14 



limited, and, desiring it to go as far as possible, the enjoyment is thus 

 prolonged; and second, the effect of tobacco smoke, when one is once 

 accustomed in inhalation and is not susceptible to the irritating effect, 

 is very agreeable, as the writer can testify from a personal experience 

 of a quarter of a century — a habit since discontinued. It may be 

 remarked, too, that the Indians, at a time when native plants of nar- 

 cotic properties were used, inhaled the smoke for the purpose of induc- 

 ing narcotism, and under certain conditions, an ecstatic state. Several 

 plants of the genus Wicotiana were employed by various Indians, the 

 southern and southwestern tribes especially, since they inhabited a 

 region in which several species are indigenous. 



The tribes inhabiting the high plateau of Arizona, when first met 

 with by the writer in 1871, were in the habit of rolling all of their 

 tobacco into cigarettes as they were required, using therefor corn-husk 

 or brown paper, if the latter could be obtained. An instance of the 

 manner and the degree of enjoyment experienced by a Shivwits Indian 

 may be cited. This native had come into camp with his wife and three 

 young children, the youngest being perhaps three or four years of age. 

 The first inquiry was for tobacco, and a piece of plug being handed to 

 him, he looked about for some heavy yellow straw-paper which had 

 been wrapped about some groceries in the mess-chest. The resem- 

 blance of the latter to corn-husk made it very acceptable to him, and 

 he immediately cut up the tobacco into small particles and rolled it 

 into a cigarette, lighting it at the camp fire and noisily inhaling the 

 smoke by great mouthfuls. After a few whiffs, he turned the moistened 

 end of the cigarette to his wife, who also drew a few pull's, then passed it 

 to his eldest child, a girl, then to the nextinage, and finally to the infant, 

 all of them seeming to relish the flavor and each casting wistful looks 

 after the stump as the old chief finished it. I was informed by him that 

 his children had never before had an opportunity of smoking. As iu 

 this instance there was but the merest taste and not sufficient to induce 

 dislike, and possibly nausea, so it may have been in many others that 

 the gradual acquirement may ultimately end in professional smoking 

 without once having experienced the distressing effects of overindul- 

 gence at a sitting. Most whites are supposed to pass through certain 

 stages of tobacco sickness, induced by nausea, but this is believed to 

 be exceedingly rare amongst Indians, doubtless for the reason above 

 suggested. 



Tobacco is frequently used by the Menomini as an offering. It is 

 placed before grave-boxes, sprinkled on stones or rocks of abnormal 

 shape, their form being attributed to the Great Deity, or to Ma'nabush. 

 It is also sent as peace offerings to other persons or tribes; it is given to 

 one from whom a favor is expected, or when an answer is looked for to 

 questions to be submitted or propounded; and likewise it is sent out, 

 together with an invitatiou, to members of the Medicine society when 

 a meeting is contemplated. Nothing of a serious character is under- 



