474 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



through several generations. The skull of a fox is supposed to ward 

 oft' evil from the house. It is sometimes carried to the hunt and to sea 

 as a protection against evil spirits. It is also consulted as an oracle, 



/SO 692 



Inao 



/S06DO 



Fig. 86. 

 Willow Sticks with Shavings Attached. 



/3069B 



and questioned concerning articles lost or stolen, or when lishermen lose 

 their way at sea, in order to learn the direction home. 



FORTUNE-TELLING. 



The manner of consulting the fox-skull oracle has been described by 

 Dr. Scheube. After presenting a drink-offering, the skull is taken in 

 the two hands while a prayer is spoken. Then, placing the underjaw 

 on his head, the person bows forward until it falls, and the direction 

 towards which it points, indicates the place where the lost or stolen 

 article is to be found. If the jawbone falls on its side, or so that the 

 teeth are down, the answer is not decisive and the question must be 

 repeated. A thief discovered in this manner is not brought to trial, 

 but the owner of the property waits patiently until the offender brings 

 back the stolen goods and seeks forgiveness. The Aiuos also read the 

 lines of the palm of the hand. 



THE BEAR FEAST. 



The great Aino festival is the so-called bear feast, which is celebrated 

 in September or October. This festival is of such an important charac- 



