724 PICTURE-WRITING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. 
device figure, In the year of Three Rabbits, or in 1534, Don Autonio 
de Mendoga arrived as Viceroy of New Spain. They say that the star 
smoked.” 
Regarding the lower figure: ‘In the year of Eleven Houses, or in 
1529, Nuno de Guzman set out for Yalisco on his march to subdue that 
I'iG, 1224.—Meteors. Mexican. 
territory; they pretend that a serpent descended from the sky, ex- 
claiming that troubles were preparing for the natives since the Christ- 
ians were directing their course thither.” 
THE CROSS. 
Referring to the numerous forms of cross delineated in the work of 
Mr. W. H. Holmes (d), it is to be noted that most of them are equilat- 
eral or the Greek pattern, and that similar ornaments or instruments 
now used by the Dakotas are always worn so that the cross upon them 
stands as if resting on one foot only and not on two, as is the mode in 
which St. Andrew’s cross is drawn. 
The “Greek” cross represents to the Dakota the four winds, which 
issue from the four caverns in which the souls of men existed before 
their incarnation in the human body. AII “ medicine-men,” i. e., con- 
jurers and magicians, recollect their previous dreamy life in those 
places and the instructions then received from the gods, demons, and 
sages. They recollect and describe their preexistent life, but only 
dream and speculate as to the future life beyond the grave. 
The top of the cross is the cold all-conquering giant, the North-wind, 
most powerful of all. It is worn on the body nearest the head, the seat 
of intelligence and conquering devices. The left arm covers the heart; 
it is the Hast-wind, coming from the seat of life and love. The foot is 
the melting burning South-wind, indicating, as it is worn, the seat of 
fiery passion. The right arm is the gentle West-wind, blowing from 
the spirit land, covering the lungs, from which the breath at last goes 
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