INTRODUCTION. 3 
and down the arms and across the breast may be found additional 
marks in the form of a small cross. These indicate the number of 
times the individual has acted as a spy for a war-party which has been 
successful, one mark being made for each incident. These crosses are 
symbols of the stars and represent a well-known mythical hero among 
the Wichita called ‘“Flint-Stone-Lying-Down-Above” (Tahanetski- 
hadidia), who, as is told in one of the myths, is one of the guardians of 
the warriors. The marks tattooed upon the women differ from those 
of the men, the entire group of designs differing but slightly among 
individual women. The most complete, as well as the most common 
design, is here given: A single line passes down the ridge of the nose 
and is carried on to the end of the upper lip, from which a line passes 
in each direction to the corners of the mouth, where each joins a short 
‘line passing downward and terminating in another line directed toward 
the center of the lower lip. Before these lines meet they turn down- 
ward to the chin. The space between these two lines is occupied by 
two short parallel lines, and all four terminate in a line which passes 
entirely around the jaw from ear to ear, and which is surmounted by 
a row of solid triangles. Similar rows of triangles pass across the 
neck and across the upper part of the breast. Down each arm are two 
series of four parallel zigzag lines, while four long lines pass down the 
middle of the breast. Above each of the breasts are three pairs of 
lines, each pair crossing at a wide angle, the open space at each end 
being occupied by V-shaped connecting lines. The nipple is also tat- 
tooed, and around it are three concentric circles. It is claimed by the 
Wichita that the chief object of the tattooing was to distinguish the 
woman, not only from other tribes, but especially from the slaves, of 
whom in former times they seem to have held many. The whole tat- 
tooed design is said to have been derived from the buffalo. The girls 
are told that by receiving these marks they enjoy a more perfect life. 
They are also told that the concentric rings about the breasts prevent 
them from becoming pendulous in old age. 
In character, the Wichita stand high among the Plains tribes as 
regards morality. Their home life seems to have been exceedingly well 
regulated, and intertribal strifes were rare. They have given very little 
trouble to the United States, and from an early time they manifested 
a uniformly friendly disposition, from which, however, they have re- 
ceived no apparent benefit. Of all the tribes of the Plains they seem 
the best natured and most kindly disposed toward the whites; indeed 
it would be hard to find anywhere people of finer nature than that pos- 
sessed by the Wichita. 
