. Annual report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Institution; Smithsonian Institution. Archives; Discoveries in science. 660 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895. Chief first. The Avomen sit down iu oue row, uicely dressed up in button blankets and tlieir faces painted red. The chief wears the amhalait-a carving rising from the forehead, set with sea-lion barbs, and with a long drapery of ermine skins (see Plate 47)-the others, the cedar bark rings ot their societies. Then the women begin to dance. After a while a prominent man rises to deliver a speech. He says-
. Annual report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Institution; Smithsonian Institution. Archives; Discoveries in science. 660 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895. Chief first. The Avomen sit down iu oue row, uicely dressed up in button blankets and tlieir faces painted red. The chief wears the amhalait-a carving rising from the forehead, set with sea-lion barbs, and with a long drapery of ermine skins (see Plate 47)-the others, the cedar bark rings ot their societies. Then the women begin to dance. After a while a prominent man rises to deliver a speech. He says- "All Jf you know that our novice went up to heaven; then he made a mistake and has been returned; now you will see ; Then ho begins the song; the curtain is drawn and masked dancers are seen surroundiu- the novice and representing the spirits which he has encountered in heaven. At the same time eagle down is blown into the air After the dance is over the presents which were strung on the rope are dis- tributed among the members of the secret society. The novice has a beautifully painted room set apart for his use He remains naked during the dancing season. He must not look into the fire. He must abstain from food and drink, and is only allowed to moisten his lips occasionally. He wears his head ring continually. After the ceremonies are all finished the festival of " clothing the novice" is celebrated. He sits in his room quietly singing while the people assemble in the house. His song is heard to grow louder, and at last he makes his appearance. He has put off his "''^' ""^ ''^'^ ''^'^'''' ^'^^^- T'^^ii tl^e people try to MASK KEPRESENTiNG THE ^^^'^^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^"^ ^^cr him, whlch thcy succccd in COLD. doing only after a severe struggle. All the socie- Tsimshian. tics take part in this feast, each sitting grouped "'"'^':^::Z:uI"'''' together. The uninitiated stand at the door. This ends the ceremonies. The initiations ar
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