RELIGION 43

dancers. Szinia differs from most supernatural beings in
having his residence in this world instead of in the land above.

Among the beings dwelling in the upper region are a number
of Xemxeminum, whose function it is to ask the sun to appear
every day. It travels without their assistance, but if they
neglected to arouse it, darkness would prevail all day. The
only knowledge of these beings is derived from information
given by the first people; they have not been seen by mortals
since early days and do not act as patrons for kusiut dancers.

Heat and Cold are regarded by the Bella Coola as anthropo-
morphic beings, but their beliefs concerning them have not
become crystallized, perhaps because of their non-appearance
as patrons of kusiut dancers. The following story is told of
the annual meeting of Heat and Cold.

Every spring Cold, Snuskeluts, meets Heat, Sqwid/tua, in some un-
defined locality and says:

“You will not be welcome in the place to which you are going [the
earth]. I have just come from there. People like to get up on cool
mornings to start work, they won’t pay any attention to you.”

But Sgwia/tua replies: “No. They will welcome me. Everyone pre-
fers to spend a few extra minutes in bed in the mornings. It is pleasant
to do so when it is warm, hence I shall be welcome in spite of the eagerness
of mankind for work.”

In spite of its apparent definiteness, this account is regarded
merely as a story, and it is doubtful if any historical accuracy
is attached to it. The Bella Coola laugh when it is told, and
the irony of the conversation is not lost on them.

S‘ps‘, the Cold Wind, is another anthropomorphized being
belonging to the realm of stories rather than to that of every-
day life and profound belief. His wife is 47a?a, and their child
is Ice. Ona cold morning, if a Bella Coola finds ice on liquid
left in a bucket or other container, he warms it at a fire until
he can lift off the sheet, and throws it out of the door, saying
as he does so: ‘“‘4#é#ao-- 1° your child has become cold.”

Both the North Wind and his wife, uxtexwan-i, whose home

The vocative form of this word.