REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 1923 59 
ing too many questions. It will thrust its fingers in the eyes of the 
peeper who tries to watch others out of idle curiosity. Generally 
the touch of this hand means death. 
Themes and Materials 
There are certain characteristic types of action to be found in 
Seneca folk tales, and these are closely followed in all tales. How- 
ever rambling a tale may be, it never departs from certain stereo- 
typed themes, expressing as they do the accepted idea patterns over 
which the story is woven. Among these themes we mention the 
following: 
1 Transformation. Characters in the story are able to trans- 
form themselves into any person, animal or object, as their orenda 
or magical power gives them power. The Seneca believed in trans- 
formation to such an extent that he was never sure that a rolling 
stone, a vagrant leaf fluttering along, a scolding bird or a curious 
animal might not be some “powered” person in a transformation 
stage. ; 
2 Magically acquired power. The hero of a tale finds himself in 
a predicament and through his effort to extricate himself is endowed 
with magical power by which he overcomes enemies and difficulties. 
3 Overcoming monsters. The journey of the hero is beset with 
magical monsters that seek to destroy him. The hero uses his wits 
and his orenda and subdues them. 
4 Precocious twims. Twins are born of a romantic marriage, par- 
ticularly where the hero or heroine has lost a relative. The twins 
rapidly grow to maturity and set forth to conquer. 
5 Contest with sorcerers. The hero is placed in opposition to a 
sorcerer and matches his power against him, finally killing the 
sorcerer. 
6 Son-in-law put to tests. The hero is allowed to retain his place, 
possessions or mate provided he procures certain magical objects 
tor the sorcerer. In some stories an evil mother-in-law demands 
such objects as the magical beaver, white otter, or blue lizard. The 
hero obtains them very quickly and sometimes calls a feast to eat 
them. The mother-in-law is angry because these beasts are her 
brothers. | 
This is a widely diffused theme and is found from one coast to 
another. 
7 Dream animal rescues hero. The hero finds himself in a pre- 
dicament and remembering that a helper appeared to him in a dream, 
calls upon it for rescue. A rescue is made. 
