eat of the green corn. The day following is one of fasting, but the next day is one of great feasting, “Hom-pi-ta-çlak-o,” in which “Indian eat all time,” “Hom-pis-yak-i-ta.”
Fig. 77. Green Corn Dance.
[ USE OF MEDICINES.]
Concerning the use by the Indians of medicine against sickness, I learned only that they are in the habit of taking various herbs for their ailments. What part incantation or sorcery plays in the healing of disease I do not know. Nor did I learn what the Indians think of the origin and effects of dreams. Me-le told me that he knows of a plant the leaves of which, eaten, will cure the bite of a rattlesnake, and that he knows also of a plant which is an antidote to the noxious effects of the poison ivy or so-called poison oak.
[ GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.]
I close this chapter by putting upon record a few general observations, as an aid to future investigation into Seminole life.
[ STANDARD OF VALUE.]
The standard of value among the Florida Indians is now taken from the currency of the United States. The unit they seem to have adopted,