22 Canadian Record of Science. 



large, umbonate, nearly flat, and finely lacinulate at their 

 margins ; occasionally bearing spines. — Measurements. 

 Skeleton spicules 0*0075 inch long, by 0-00075 inch thick ; 

 length of long birotulates 0'0021 inch; of short birotulates 

 0-0012 ; diameter of disc of latter 0-0009 inch." 



This is one of the most beautiful of our fresh-water 

 sponges. It is so much more compact and firm than our 

 other sponges, that it can nearly infallibly be recognized at 

 sight or by touch when once seen and handled. Its range 

 in Nova Scotia is quite extensive : it has been found on the 

 Atlantic and G-ulf slopes. It is also abundant in Newfound- 

 land. S. mackayi is also easily recognized without micro- 

 scopic examination when once seen. Its encrusting habit, 

 with the conspicuously large compound statoblasts, is very 

 characteristic. Its nearest congener is the variety of 

 Spongilla fragilis (Leidy) described by Dr. Greo. M. Dawson 

 as S. ottawaensis. 



The Sun Dance of the Cree Indians. 



By Campbell Lane. 



When serving with my brigade in the recent Northwest 

 Eebellion, I had an opportunity of witnessing a traditionary 

 custom of the Indians, which may be of interest from an 

 anthropological point of view. The ceremony was the 

 Sun Dance. It is sometimes known as the " Great Thirst 

 Dance," and not unfrequently as the "Torture Dance." 

 By the former name, however, it is more generally known 

 among the white settlers of the Northwest. ' The dance I 

 attended began at 7 o'clock p. m. on Thursday, May 28th. 

 and was continued till Saturday, 30th, at the same hour. It 

 was Saturday afternoon when I arrived. Chief Pie-a-Pot's 

 band, together with his visitors from other reserves, were 

 all encamped in tents. 



Having passed through the line of deserted tepees, forming 

 the circumference of the camp, we approached a high cen- 

 tral tent whence issued the beating of drums, the blowing of 

 whistles and a monotonous drone, which told of some cere- 



