134 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



seem to have first settled in that region, as it were coming out of 

 the ground, for others of their people followed. This tradition 

 is probable and well sustained. They say they came from the 

 north, along the St Lawrence, whence straggling bands followed 

 their pioneers. In process of time, urged b}- the war, others came, 

 all then seeking the highlands, and were called Onondagas from 

 their home on the hills where they found a safe refuge. Their 

 further tradition is of the same gradual occupation, the Bear 

 and Wolf tribes originating near Oswego Falls, the Beaver and 

 Heron or Snipe on the shore of Lake Ontario, the Eel and Turtle 

 on Seneca river, and the Deer and Hawk on the Onondaga hills. 

 An Onondaga chief once testified that they came to Onondaga 

 by way of Oriskany, and some may have done so. 



Both Clark and Schoolcraft mention a tradition that the 

 Oneidas originated with some Onondagas, who left their homes 

 and settled at the mouth of Oneida creek, removing thence to the 

 vicinity of Munnsville, and thence to Oneida Castle. The objec- 

 tions are that they are closely allied to the Mohawks in every 

 way, and that their homes at the lake and Oneida Castle were 

 settled in the middle of the i8th century, and not before the 

 league was formed. 



Except the simple one of David Cusick there is no tradition of 

 Cayuga origin, but they probably entered New York from the 

 west, with or preceding the Senecas. 



The general Seneca tradition is well known, relating that that 

 nation had its first seat on a large hill at the head of Canandaigua 

 lake. No remains of importance are known there, and the serpent 

 story is supposed to belong to Bare hill on the eastern shore, 

 where was an early fort. Briefly the tale is of a curious snake, 

 caught and brought home by a boy, which developed an enormous 

 appetite and grew to a great size. Lying outside the gate, he 

 devoured the inmates as they came forth, till only a boy and 

 girl were left. The boy destroyed the monster with a charmed 

 arrow and recovered many of his friends, but all sought a new 

 home. One explanation of this favorite Iroquois tale is that 

 the fort was besieged Ijy a powerful foe, or that something near 



