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Show 128 PICT0GRAPH8 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. system, are distinguished by his name. It is necessary to explain that all references in the text to colors, other than black, must be understood as applicable to the originals. Other colors could not be reproduced in the plates without an expense disproportionate to the importance of the colors for significance and comprehension. A more important explanation is due on accou ut of the necessity to omit from Dr. Corbusier's contribution the figures of Battiste Good's count and their interpretation. This count is in some respects the most important of all those yet made known. As set down by Battiste Good, it begins in a peculiar cyclic computation with the year A. D. 900, and in thirteen figures includes the time to A. D. 1700, all these figures being connected with legends and myths, some of which indicate European influence. From 1700-' 01 to 1879-' 80 a separate character for each year is given, with its interpretation, in a manner generally similar to those in the other charts. Unfortunately all of these figures are colored, either in whole or in large part, five colors being used besides black, and the drawing is so rude that without the colors it is in many cases unintelligible. The presentation at this time of so large a number of colored figures- in all one hundred and ninety- three- in addition to the other illustrations of the present paper, involved too great expense. It is hoped that this count can be so far revised, with the elimination of unessential coloration and with more precision in the outlines, as to allow of its publication. Several of its characters, with references also to its interpretation when compared with that of other counts, are given in various parts of the present paper. Where it was important to specify their coloration the heraldic scheme has been used. The pages immediately following contain the contribution of Dr. Gorbusier, diminished by the extraction of the parts comprising Battiste Good's count Its necessary omission, as above explained, is much regretted, not only on account of its intrinsic value, but because without it the work of Br. Gorbusier does not appear to all the advantage merited by his zeal and industry. The Dakotas reckon time by winters, and apply names to them instead of numbering them from an era. Each name refers to some notable occurrence of the winter or year to which it belongs, and has been agreed upon in council on the expiration of the winter. Separate bands have often fixed upon different events, and it thus happens that the names are not uniform throughout the nation. Ideographic records of these occurrences have been kept in several bands for many years, and they constitute the Dakota Winter- Counts ( waniyetu w6wapi) or Counts Back ( h£ kta yawapi). They are used in computing time, and to aid the memory in recalling the names and events of the different years, their places in the count, and their order of succession. The enumeration of the winters is begun at the one last recorded and carried backward. Notches on sticks, war- shirts, pipes, arrows, and other de- |
