ncient and
valued fetich of the black Wild Cat (Te-pi shi-k'ia-na), of the Lower
regions. It is little more than a concretion of compact basaltic rock,
with slight traces of art. Its natural form, however, is suggestive of
an animal. Long use has polished its originally black surface to the hue
of lustrous jet.
THE WOLF--HUNTER GOD OF THE EAST.
The fetiches of the Wolf, God of the East, and of his younger brothers
(Iu-na-wi-ko we-ma-we) are represented on Plate VII. They are
characterized by erect attitudes, usually oblique faces, pricked-up
ears, and "hanging tails."
Plate VII, Fig. 1, is a representation of the fetich of the yellow Wolf
(Iu-na-wi-ko thlup-tsi-na), of the North. It is of yellow indurated
clay-stone. In this example the legs are much longer than in most
specimens, for nearly all these figures are either natural fragments or
concretions slightly improved on by art, or are figures which have been
suggested by and derived from such fragments or concretions. Moreover,
the ceremonials to be described further on require that they should be
"able to stand alone"; therefore they are usually furnished with only
rudimentary legs. The tail is only indicated, while in nearly all other
Wolf fetiches it is clearly cut down the rump, nearly to the gambol
joint.
Plate VII, Fig. 2, represents a fetich of the blue Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko
thli-a-na), of the West. It is of gray sandstone, stained first red,
then blue, the latter color being further indicated by settings of green
turkois on either side and along the back, as well as in the eyes.
Plate VII, Fig. 3, represents the fetich of the red Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko
a-ho-na), of the South. It is but crudely formed from a fragment of
siliceous limestone, the feet, ears, and tail being represented only by
mere protuberances. Although the material is naturally of a
yellowish-gray color, it has been stained red.
Plate VII, Fig. 4, represents the fetich of the white Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko
k'o-ha-na), of the East. It is of very white, compact limestone. The
hanging tail, erect ears, attitude, &c., are better shown in this than
perhaps in any other specimen of the class in the collection. It has,
however, been broken through the body and mended with black pitch.
[Illustration: WOLF FETICHES OF THE CHASE--HUNTER GOD OF THE EAST.]
[Illustration: EAGLE FETICHES OF THE CHASE--HUNTER GOD OF THE UPPER
REGIONS.]
Plate VII, Fig. 5, represents the fetich, of the many-colored Wolf
(
|