MALLERY. | HAIDA TATTOO. 405 
The skulpin, on the right leg of the woman in Fig. 525, is shown 
enlarged in Fig. 527; the frog on the left leg in Fig. 528. The codfish 
on the man in Fig. 525 is shown enlarged in Fig. 529; the octopus or 
squid in Fig. 530. 4 
As the Haidas, both men and women, are very light-colored, some of 
the latter—full blooded Indians, too—having their skins as fair as 
Europeans, the tattoo marks show very distinct. 
Fia. 528.—Frog, Haida. Fic. 529.—Cod, Haida. 
The same author continues: 
This tattooing is not all done at one time, nor is it everyone who can tattoo. Cer- 
tain ones, almost always men, have a natural gift which enables them to excel in 
thiskindofwork. One of the young chiefs, named Geneskelos, was the best designer 
I knew, and ranked among his tribe as a tattooer. 
He told me the plan he adopted was first to draw the design carefully on the per- 
son with some dark pigment, then prick it in with needles, and then rub over the 
wound with some more coloring matter till it acquired the proper hue. He hada 
variety of instruments composed of needles tied neatly to sticks. His favorite one 
was a flat strip of ivory or bone, to which he had firmly tied five or six needles, with 
their points projecting beyond the end just far enough to raise the skin without 
inflicting a dangerous wound, but these needle points stuck out quite sufficiently to 
Fic, 530,—Squid, Haida. Fig. 531.—Wolf, Haida. 
make the operation very painful, and although he applied some substance to deaden 
the sensation of the skin, yet the effect was on some to make them quite sick for a few 
days; consequently, the whole process of tattooing was not done at one time. As 
this tattooing is a mark of honor, it is generally done at or just prior to a Tomanawos 
performance and at the time of raising the heraldic columns in front of the chief's 
houses. The tattooing is done in open lodge and is witnessed by the company as- 
sembled. Sometimes it takes several years before all the tattooing is done, but when 
completed and the person well ornamented, then they are happy and can take their 
seats among the elders. 
