212 



and is, on the outskirts, limited to the women. In comparative examinations, 

 it sliouhl be remembered that as shives are for the most part obtained from 

 abroad, skulls, found among the ti-ibes addicted to the practice, which are 

 not compressed, may be assumed to be of different origin, and, on the other 

 hand, those very much altered, which are met with among the northern 

 tribes, are probably likewise so. The care bestowed on the disposition of 

 the dead will, however, generally indicate his rank, and therefore his nation- 

 ality. These observations are important where deductions are attempted to 

 be drawn from differences in crania, but are likely to be overlooked by 

 those unacquainted with the habits of these tribes. It will be seen that 

 the custom is a local one ; that within a particular district it is common to 

 tribes of the most different families ; and that beyond it other tribes of the 

 same families do not practice it at all. 



Arrival at puberty. — The first prominent event in a woman's life, her 

 becoming fit for marriage, as seems to be the case with most savage tribes, 

 is a period of ceremonial observance among these Indians. With those of 

 the district, the girl usually retreats to some secluded spot and fasts. The 

 rigor of her abstinence is said to be a great merit; but that it may not be car- 

 ried too far, some old squaw, who is acquainted with her hiding place, carries 

 her when naedful a little water and dried salmon. The time is, with some 

 tribes, as the Kallapilia of the Willamette Valley, occupied in throwing 

 up small piles of earth or stones, a practice having probably a mystical sig- 

 nification akin to a tamahno-us. The subsequent recurrences of her periods 

 ai'e, in like manner, seasons of retreat from the tribe, although less formality 

 attends them. The most peculiar, as well as universal, observances are 

 those connected with their food. This, the first object of care and anxiety 

 with people who depend upon natural productions for their subsistence, 

 seems to have in their minds a relation to many events ; and more especially 

 those of a ser.ual character, or the privation of particular kinds of food, may 

 have been shown by experience to be requisite to speedy recovery of health. 

 Among the fishing Indians, the salmon, during the early season of its cap- 

 ture, is, so to speak, tabooed to women undergoing menstnuition. Among 

 those who live by game, elk and deer meat are equally prohibited, and 

 similar restrictions are, to a more limited extent, imposed on pregnant 



