[*] I am indebted to Mr. S.F. Emmons, of the Geological Survey, for assisting me to determine approximately the mineralogical character of these specimens.
THE COYOTE—HUNTER GOD OF THE WEST.
THE COYOTE FETICHES OF THE CHASE—HUNTER GOD OF THE WEST.
The fetiches of the Coyote, or God of the West, and his younger brothers, represented on Plate V, are called Téthl-po-k'ia, an archaic form of the modern word Sús-k'i wé-ma-we (Coyote fetiches), from téthl-nan,=a sacred prayer-plume, and pó-an,=an object or locality on or toward which anything is placed, a depository, and k'ia=the active participle. They are usually distinguished by horizontal or slightly drooping tails, pointed or small snouts, and erect ears. Although the Coyote of the West is regarded as the master of the Coyotes of the other five regions, yet, in the prayers, songs, and recitations of the Sá-ni-a-k'ia-kwe, and Prey Brother Priesthood, the Coyote of the North is mentioned first. I therefore preserve the same sequence observed in describing the Mountain Lion fetiches.
The fetich of the yellow Coyote (Sús-k'i thlúp-tsi-na), of the North, is represented in Plate V, Fig. 1. The original is of compact white limestone stained yellow. The attitude is that of a coyote about to pursue his prey (lá-hi-na í-mo-na), which has reference to the intemperate haste on the part of this animal, which usually, as in the foregoing tradition, results in failure.
The fetich of the blue Coyote, of the West (Sús-k'i ló-k'ia-na—signifying in reality blue gray, the color of the coyote, instead of blue=thlí-a-na), is shown, in Plate V, Fig. 2. This fetich is also of compact white limestone, of a yellowish gray color, although traces of blue paint and large turkois eyes indicate that it was intended, like Plate III, Fig. 3, to represent the God of the West.
The fetich of the red Coyote (Sús-k'i á-ho-na), of the South, is represented by Plate V, Fig. 4, which, although of white semi-translucent calcite, has been deeply stained with red paint.
Two examples of the fetich of the white Coyote (Sús-k'i k'ó-ha-na), of the East, are shown in Plate V, Figs. 4 and 5. They are both of compact white limestone. The first is evidently a natural fragment, the feet being but slightly indicated by grinding, the mouth by a deep cut straight across the snout, and the eyes by deeply drilled depressions, the deep groove around, the neck being designed merely to receive the necklace. The second, however, is more elaborate, the pointed chin, horizontal tail, and pricked-up ears being distinctly carved, and yet in form the specimen resembles more a weasel than a coyote.