ciLmore] TAXONOMIC LIST OF PLANTS 135 
Ha*witska (Winnebago), white herb (Aa"wi", herb; ska, white). 
Kiwaut (Pawnee). 
All that is said of this species applies in general to all species of 
Artemisia, 
A bunch of Artemisia was sometimes used for a towel in old times. 
A decoction of the plant was taken for stomach troubles and many 
other kinds of ailments. It was used also for bathing. A person who 
had unwittingly broken some taboo or had, touched any sacred 
object must bathe with Avtemisia. The immaterial essence or, to 
use the Dakota word, the to”, of Artemisia was believed to be effec- 
tual as a protection against maleficent powers; therefore it was 
always proper to begin any ceremonial by using Artemisia in order 
to drive away any evil influences. As an example of the use among 
the Omaha of Artemisia to avert calamity it is related that two 
horses ran wild in the camp, knocking down the Sacred Tent. Two 
old men, having caught the horses, rubbed them all over with wild 
sage, and said to the young son of their owner, “If you let them do 
that again, the buffaloes shall gore them.” 
In the ceremonies of the installation of a chief among the Omaha 
wild sage was used as a bed for the sacred pipes.2. One of the per- 
sonal names of men in the Ze-sinde gens of the Omaha tribe is 
Pezhe-hota.? ‘ 
It has already been mentioned that the various species of Arte- 
mista were used in old times as incense for the purpose of exorcising 
evil powers. It has also been stated that cedar twigs or sweet grass, 
either one, were used as incense to attract good powers. Some 
Christian Indians also still employ all these species as incense for 
these specific purposes, in church services, especially at Christmas, 
Easter, Pentecost, and on occasion of funerals. The writer has 
seen the use of Avtemésia as an incense before a church door just 
before the body was carried into the church. A small fire was made 
before the steps of the church, Artemisia tops being used to raise a 
cloud of smoke. 
Arctium minus Schk. Burdock. 
This plant is a European introduction, probably not earlier than 
the time of the first overland traffic by horses, mules, and oxen. It 
is even now found commonly only along or near the old military 
roads. It has been adopted by the Indians for medicinal use. 
White Horse, of the Omaha, gave information, which he had obtained 
from the Oto, of a decoction of the root being used as a remedy 
for pleurisy. 
1 Dorsey, Omaha Sociology, p. 235. 
2Tbid., p. 359. 
*Tbid., p. 244. 
