AN OLD INDIAN TOWN. 169 
standard of measurement, because most permanent. ‘There were five of 
them, each of which would contain a hundred persons; and as they were 
intended for men chiefly it is safe to estimate that the town once numbered 
1,500 souls. Mr. March states that in 1847 it still contained between 300 
and 400 people. 
When a Senel woman is: sterile she and her husband go on a long 
journey into the mountains, where they take upon themselves certain vows, 
make certain offerings, and perform rites, none of which are proper sub- 
jects for description. All this they do in hope ef having offspring. 
Their ceremonial dances are much the same as those of the Pomo, both 
in the manner, objects, and accouterments worn. 
According to the Senel, the sun and moon are active, potent, and 
malignant spirits, the same as the innumerable other devils in whom they 
believe. Hence if one has the headache or sunstroke he thinks he is 
tormented by one or the other of these evil luminaries—sun-poisoned or 
moon-poisoned. As a means of relief he sometimes thumps his head 
unmercifully, causing his nose to bleed. They torture their bodies too, 
not only for themselves, but also for their friends when afflicted. They 
believe that by lacerating themselves they help to placate the wrath of the 
evil one, and thereby alleviate the distress of their relatives. 
The dead are mostly burned. Mr. Willard described to me a scene of 
incremation that he once witnessed which was frightful for its exhibitions 
of fanatie frenzy and infatuation. The corpse was that of a wealthy chief- 
tain, and as he lay upon the funeral pyre they placed in his mouth two 
gold twenties, and other smaller coins in his ears and hands, on his breast 
etc., besides all his finery, his feather mantles, plumes, clothing, shell-money, 
his fancy bows, painted arrows, etc. When the torch was applied they set 
up a mournful ululation, chanting and dancing about him, gradually work- 
ing themselves into a wild and ecstatic raving—which seemed almost a demo- 
niacal possession—leaping, howling, lacerating their flesh. Many seemed 
to lose all self-control. The younger, English-speaking Indians generally 
lend themselves charily to such superstitious work, especially if American 
spectators are present; but even they were carried away by the old con- 
