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Show HOFFMAN.) EXPLANATION OF MILLE LACS CHART. 177 To continue the informant's tradition: When the Otter had passed around the interior of the Mide'wigan four times, he seated himself in the west and faced the degree post, when Mi'nabo'zho again shot into his body the mi'gis, which gave him renewed life. Then the Otter was told to take a " sweat bath" once each day for four successive days, so as to prepare for the next degree. ( This number is indicated at the rounded spots at Nos. 68, 69,70, and 71.) The third degree of the Mide'wiwin ( No. 72) is guarded during the day by two Mide' spirits ( Nos. 73, 74) near the eastern entrance, and by the Makwa' Man'ido within the inclosure ( Nos. 75 and 76), and at night by eighteen Mide' Man'idos ( Nos. 77 to 94), placed there by Ki'tshi Man'ido. When the Otter approached the entrance ( No. 95) he was again arrested in his progress by two evil man'idos ( Nos. 96 ai* d 97), who opposed his admission, but Mi'nibo'zho overcame them and the Otter entered. Just inside of the door, and on each side, the Otter sav a post ( Nos. 98 and 99), and at the western door or exit two corresponding posts ( Nos. 100 and 101). These symbolized the four legs of the Makwa' Man'ido, or Bear Spirit, who is the guardian by day and the owner of the third degree. The Otter then observed the sacred stone ( No. 102) and the two heaps of sacred objects ( Nos. 103 and 104) which Mi'nabo'zho had deposited, and three degree posts ( Nos. 105,106, and 107), the first of which ( No. 105) was a plain cedar post with the bark upon it, but sharpened at the top; the second ( No. 106), a red post with a green band round the top and one about the middle, as in the second degree; and the third a cross ( No. 107) painted red, each of the tips painted green. [ The vertical line No. 108 was said to have no relation to anything connected with the tradition.] After the Otter had observed the interior of the Mide'wigan he again made four circuits, after which he took his station in the west, where he seated himself, facing the sacred degree posts. Then Mi'nabo' zho, for the third time, shot into his body the mi'gis, thus adding to the powers which he already possessed, after which he was to prepare for the fourth degree of the Mide'wiwin. Other objects appearing upon the chart were subsequently explained as follows: The four trees ( Nos. 109,110, 111, and 112), one of which is planted at each of the four corners of the Mide'wigan, are usually cedar, though pine maybe taken as a substitute when the former can not be had. The repetition of the circles Nos. 113, 114, and 115 and connecting line No. 116, with the short lines at Nos. 117,118,119, and 120, have the same signification as in the preceding two degrees. After the Otter had received the third degree he prepared himself for the fourth, and highest, by taking a steam bath once a day for four successive days ( Nos. 121, 122,123, and 124). Then, as he proceeded toward the Mide" wigan he came to a wig'iwam made of brush ( No. 179), which was the nest of Makwa' Man'ido, the Bear Spirit, who guarded the four doors of the sacred structure. The four rows of spots have reference to the four entrances of the Mide'wigan of the fourth degree. The signification of the spots near the larger circle, just beneath the " Bear's nest" could not be explained by Sikas'sigg, but the row of spots ( No. 117) along the horizontal line leading to the entrance of the inclosure were denominated steps, or stages of progress, equal to as many days- one spot denoting one day- which must elapse before the Otter was permitted to view the entrance. When the Otter approached the fourth degree ( No. 118) he came to a short post 7 ETH 12 |
