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45

[Image]

Dakota. (Sioux) Squaw leggins,

length. 15 inches width at top 7 " " " bottom 5 1/4 " " of quill band 2½ inches (Haupt Coll, & del)

Not unfrequently a blanket is cut up for such purpose. The pair of which we give an illustration are made of cotton cloth are white now colored with red pigment and ornamented with porcupine quills dyed green, red, yellow, and purple. these quills are secured to a strip of buckskin and this sewed on the leggin with sinew. The effect of the combination of colors is rich but not necessarily startling the predominant color is green and the others contrast well so that the result is very pleasing. These leggins are of more than usual interest in the fact that they are a pair offered to a ghost and with other presents were placed about the Ghost lodge. In chapter X Death and Burial we give an account of the Ghost lodge. so will not refer to that at this time. except to say, that this Ghost Lodge was erected at White River camp at Lower Brule Agency S. Dakota. Just before the out break at Pine Ridge in 1890. The top of the leggin is open down to the strip of quill ? below this it is sewed together. To wear them they are drawn over the foot and secured by a garter below the knee. they fit tight and being once put on are expected to stay for a time at least. This brings up the recollection that Mr. George Catlin mentions the fact that the Mandan women and girls in the Summer months repaired to the river every morning for a bath and swim: we have of course no reason to doubt Mr Catlin's statement. It was no doubt true at that time and again doubtless the Mandan are a ? clearly race of indians from the Dakota or Ojibway and it is very possible that, that custom has become ? also as the writer never heard of or saw and indian man or woman take a bath, or wash their hands or faces ever. although he has visited then in summer , and winter. When sick the sweat 'wickiup" is resorted to but this is not a bath in the strict sense. and is more fully described in the chapter on Medicine and Hygene. Physically the indians ? both Dakota, and Ojibway, is in