130 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Some of the societies have other features, such as stated meet- 

 ings and officers' reports, but the foregoing characteristics apply to 

 all the Seneca secret or semisecret ceremonies and entitle them to 

 the name of societies. 



When an Indian is afflicted with some disorder which can not be 

 identified by the native herb doctors, the relatives of the patient 

 consult a clairvoyant, who names the ceremony, one of those above 

 described, believed to be efficacious in treating the ailment. Some 

 times several ceremonies are necessary, and as a final resort a witch- 

 doctor is called upon. 



As to the influence of these organizations on the people, while 

 it must be confessed that they foster some " superstitions " incon- 

 sistent with the modern folk-ways of civilized society, they serve 

 more than any other means to conserve the national life of the peo- 

 ple. The strongest body of Iroquois in New York today are the 

 two bands or divisions of the Seneca, and the Seneca have the larg- 

 est number of " pagans." They are perhaps likewise the most 

 patriotic, and struggle with greater energy to retain their tribal 

 organization and national identity. 



The customs of these adherents of the old Iroquois religion react 

 on and influence the entire body of the people, " pagans " and 

 Christians alike. 



