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342 [crossed out: Chapter Death & B.]

The marks on the Totem stick of the Ojibway It would seem that in former times according to Schoolcraft the Ojibway and Algonquin indians were in the habit f setting up an "Adjedatig" or grave stone at the grave of the departed indian upon which was engraved his history. It would seem that the statement of their being stones is apt to lead to the most erroneous conclusion. We have not in any of the collections of our friends or the musiums [sic] seen any of these stones. hence we doubt their existance.[sic] but we have seen and have collected pieces of wood of various sizes and shapes. although the usual in fact typical. is that of a short paddle. a broad end to mark on and a pointed end to stick in the ground. and such pieces of wood with the Totem. and other marks. as the case may be engraved on it. It would seem that "Buried tablet"would suit as a guneric name for this class of objects.

   Upon the "Burial tablets" will be found most usually certain lines. and marks other than the totem which is consistent. the other marks may not be.  Just here we would say that substantiating Mr. Schoolcrafts statement we have found on all the Burial tablets examined the head of the animal in the totem is inverted. a sign of the death of the owner thereof.  In answer to the question. What do the marks on the "Totem sticks" or Burial tablets mean? we obtained the following explanation.. "You know the indian relies upon his medicine a great deal and an indian is [?].  Just for his medecine. and so he ranks with his tribe.. They believe that an indian can kill another with medecine.    (The medecine as the indian applies it is not of necessity the medical application of the white physician uses it. but a patent Spiritual subtle influence by means of which they can. produce effects at a distance and at any time)   The marks on the sticks are the figures of men and women [?] they are to show how many indians the deceased has killed or been accused of killing.  The straight marks are some great deed done such as some great medecine work. You will find such marks on the totem sticks of children..  A great thing or act of bravery done by the head of a family is honored. and kept for generations after hence the children have marks of their elders"   When an Ojibway dies the medecine man and the family stay all night at the wigwam and dance. and the chief speaker makes a speech ulogizing [sic] the dead. and they sing songs to the Manito in behalf of the defeated and in the morning they carry him out with with ceremony to the grave. and bury him. In the pemmeto villages. at Rice Lake.   [?] are