321 
he possessed in the old society and purchasing the corresponding 
regalia of the new. Thus the societies were roughly graded, young 
men entering the lowest and proceeding at intervals to the higher 
grades. But if the Blackfoot had carried out the system to its logical 
conclusion the higher societies would have contained old men only, 
the lowest only youths. Partly to prevent this, apparently, every 
7487y 
.A. niood Indian girl. (Pholo hif courieHij of Cdnadian yatioiiai 
Paihrni/n.) 
grade had to include at least four old men among its members; and 
many individuals purchased membership in the higher societies with- 
out relinquishing their affiliations with the lower. Since there were 
no special qualifications for members, and no means of expelling 
them, we may presume that ev^ery man in the tribe joined at least 
one society for a time, and the majority jmssed through several. 
