t, after the "Black Drink" has had its effect,
the Indians sleep. The next morning they eat of the green corn. The day
following is one of fasting, but the next day is one of great feasting,
"Hom-pi-ta-clak-o," in which "Indian eat all time," "Hom-pis-yak-i-ta."

[Illustration: Fig. 77. Green Corn Dance.]

----------------------------------------------------------------
++++++
N. Squaws
|
-+-E "O-PUN-KA-TO-LO-KA-TI"
| or the Dance Circle
S. "HIL-LIS-WA-MA-TOE-UL-KI"
Men who watch the
+--+ \ | / medicine fire
| | -- O -- ++
| | / | \ X +++
| | Medicine Medicine
+--+ The Fire or Fire Men
"TEOK-KO-CLACO" "O-PUN-KA-TOT-KIT-A"
House where the
warriors sit.
Squaws
++++++
----------------------------------------------------------------

Use Of Medicines.

Concerning the use by the Indians of medicine against sickness, I
learned only that they are in the habit of taking various herbs for
their ailments. What part incantation or sorcery plays in the healing
of disease I do not know. Nor did I learn what the Indians think of the
origin and effects of dreams. Me-le told me that he knows of a plant the
leaves of which, eaten, will cure the bite of a rattlesnake, and that he
knows also of a plant which is an antidote to the noxious effects of the
poison ivy or so-called poison oak.

General Observations.

I close this chapter by putting upon record a few general observations,
as an aid to future investigation into Seminole life.

Standard of Value.

The standard of value among the Florida Indians is now taken from the
currency of the United States. The unit they seem to have adopted, at
least at the Big Cypress Swamp settlement, is twenty-five cents, which
they call "Kan-cat-ka-hum-kin" (literally, "one mark on the ground"). At
Miami a trader keeps his accounts with the Indians in single marks or
pencil strokes. For example, an Indian brings to him buck skins, for
which the trader allows twelve "chalks." The Indian, not wishing then to
purchase anything, receives a piece of paper marked in this w