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Show igoo] NORTHERN INTERIOR INDIANS 129 interesting as marking the southern limit of the practice of head deformation in that region. South of them tattooing makes its appearance, but it is not known among the tribes of Yakonan stock. The Yakonan family marks the southern extension of the typical northwest coast culture and begins to show the influence of Californian contact. \ The character of the mythology shows decided changes: the culture hero or " transformer" no longer plays the part exhibited by the raven and bluejay of the north, ^ eir religious conceptions are those most common\ to the Indian wherever found- i. e. 9 wide- spread animism, with the institution of shamans, or medicine- men, well developed. The individual could acquire the supernatural helper or guardian in the usual way by " training0 and fasting, but there is no evidence that it was hereditary in either line. \ The usual social orders of nobility or chiefs, common people, and slaves prevailed;. and it was possible for a man of common origin txTraise himself to the rank of chief by reason of extraordinary wisdom, power, or wealth. The privileges of rank were, however, as a rule, guarded jealously.\ In matters of inheritance no preference was shown for either the male or female line, a child being regarded as related equally to both father's and mother's family. northern California and southern Oregon occurs one of the puzzling intrusions of the Atha- VOL. II.- 0 |