MOUNTAIN LION FETICHES OF THE CHASE—HUNTER GOD OF THE NORTH.
According to this classification, which is native, the fetiches of the Mountain Lions are represented on Plate IV. They are invariably distinguished by the tail, which is represented very long, and laid lengthwise of the back from the rump nearly or quite to the shoulders, as well as by the ears, which are quite as uniformly rounded and not prominent.
The fetich of the yellow Mountain Lion (Hâ′k-ti tä′sh-a-na thlúp-tsi-na), or God of the North (Plate IV, Fig. 1), is of yellow limestone.[*] It has been smoothly carved, and is evidently of great antiquity, as shown by its polish and patina, the latter partly of blood. The anus and eyes are quite marked holes made by drilling. An arrow-point of flint is bound to the back with cordage of cotton, which latter, however, from its newness, seems to have been recently added.
The fetich of the blue Mountain Lion, of the West (Hâ′k-ti tä′sh-a-na thlí-a-na), is represented in Plate IV, Fig. 2. The original is composed of finely veined azurite or carbonate of copper, which, although specked with harder serpentinous nodules, is almost entirely blue. It has been carefully finished, and the ears, eyes, nostrils, mouth, tail, anus, and legs are clearly cut.
The fetich of the white Mountain Lion, of the East (Hâ′k-ti tä′sh-a-na k'ó-ha-na), is represented by several specimens, two of which are reproduced in Plate IV, Figs. 3 and 4. The former is very small and composed of compact white limestone, the details being pronounced, and the whole specimen finished with more than usual elaboration. The latter is unusually large, of compact gypsum or alabaster, and quite carefully carved. The eyes have been inlaid with turkoises, and there is cut around its neck a groove by which the beads of shell, coral, &c., were originally fastened. A large arrow-head of chalcedony has been bound with cords of cotton flatwise along one side of the body.
The only fetich representing the red Mountain Lion, of the South (Hâ′k-ti tä′sh-a-na á-ho-na), in the collection was too imperfect for reproduction.
The fetich of the spotted or many-colored Mountain Lion (Hâ′k-ti tä′sh-a-na sú-pa-no-pa or í-to-pa-nah-na-na), of the Upper regions, is also represented by two specimens (Plate IV, Figs. 5 and 6), both of fibrous aragonite in alternating thin and thick laminæ, or bands of grayish yellow, white, and blue. Fig. 5 is by far the more elaborate of the two, and is, indeed, the most perfect fetich in the collection. The legs, ears, eyes, nostrils, mouth, tail, anus, and genital organs (of the male) are carefully carved, the eyes being further elaborated by mosaics of minute turkoises. To the right side of the body, "over the heart," is bound with blood-blackened cotton cords a delicate flint arrow-point, together with white shell and coral beads, and, at the breast, a small triangular figure of an arrow in haliotus, or abalone.
The fetich of the black Mountain Lion (Hâ′k-ti tä′sh-a-na shí-k'ia-na) (Pl. IV, Fig. 7) is of gypsum, or white limestone, but has been painted black by pigment, traces of which are still lodged on portions of its surface.