Rocky Mountains. 253 



same individual, even though not previously related, apply 

 to each other the title of sister- 

 Remote degrees of consanguineous alliance, are distin- 

 guished by their various appellatives, and are universally ac- 

 knowledged. 



It is a great singularity in the manners of the Omavvhaws, 

 that neither the father-in-law nor mother-in-law will hold any 

 direct conversation with their son-in law ; nor will he on any 

 occasion or under any consideration converse immediate- 

 ly with them, although no ill will exists between them ; they 

 will not, on any account, mention each other's name in com- 

 pany, nor look in each other's faces ; any conversation that 

 passes between them is conducted through the medium of 

 some other person. 



The Big Elk, Ongpatonga, otherwise named Ar-re-cat- 

 ta-wa-ho, which means Big Elk in the Pawnee language, 

 married the daughter of Me-chah-pa, or the Horse-head. 

 One day, on a visit to his wife, he entered the lodge of her 

 father, unobserved by him, who was busily engaged in play 

 with his dog, rubbing him with his hand, and frequently re- 

 peating his name which unfortunately happened to be the 

 same with that of the Big Elk in Pawnee. Mechahpa's wife 

 hearing her husband repeat this name in the presence of the 

 son-in-law ; after making many winks and signs without ef- 

 fect, arose from her seat and struck him violently with her fist 

 upon the back, exclaiming, " you old fool! have you no eyes 

 to see who is present ? you had better jump up on his neck, 

 f meaning that of the Big Elk) and ride him about like a dog." 

 ' Wah!' ejaculated Mechahpa, -in surprise, at the sudden and 

 emphatical salutation, and understanding the meaning of the 

 address, he ran out of the lodge in confusion. 



This extraordinary formality is carried to a great length, 

 and is very rigidly observed. If a person enters a dwelling 

 in which his son-in-law is seated, the latter turns his back, 

 covers his head with his robe, and avails himself of the first 



