WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 241

assemble to witness the dance of Hguntdm. This is his func.
tion in the land above, so it is natural for him to do the same
in this world.

THE DANCE OF Afguntdm’s FISHERMAN

Aiquntém in the land above has a servant who uses a hand-
net, xofa, in fishing for his master. He is accordingly known
as Aiguntim’s Xonxotim, “Fisherman,” and is patron for a
Rusiut.

THE DANCE OF THE TOP

The playful Sanotxyimutelts Aiguntdém has a favourite toy
consisting of a stick which can be made to spin between the
hands. This top, if it may so be termed, is patron for some
kusiut. The writer was unable to learn how it is displayed on
nebusam.

THE DANCE OF THE PETRIFIED HAMMER

The patron of one &usiut is a hammer which in some way
was changed to stone in the beginning of time when the Bella
Coola River first flowed to the sea.

THE DANCE OF THE GRIZZLY BEAR

A kusiut named Bulkwit has, as patron, a grizzly bear resi-
dent in Qomogwa’s house.

Various Oricin Myrus

In most cases kusiut dances have been preserved until the
present day, although the myths on which they depend have
long since been forgotten, but the reverse is sometimes the case.
The following myths, were recorded with few, or no details of
the associated dances. In several cases, one of the same type
has already been recorded, so that the significance will be
apparent.

A COMPOSITE ORIGIN MYTH!®!

Long ago there lived in Stuux a man and his wife who were powerful,
Prosperous, and able to give their children many good names. This

Related by Mrs. Willie Mack.