ILHATAINA
In this myth lightning is “dug up,” as in the preceding one. Electricity is one of the earth’s children.
The putting on of Gowila’s skin by Ilhataina is one of the curious acts frequent in Indian mythology. In the Aztec worship of Mexico, in Montezuma’s time, the sacrificing priest put on the skin of the victim as far as the waist.
The wish of Ilhataina to get the old rabbit-skin robe is worthy of attention.
HITCHINNA
Among the Iroquois the cyclone was represented as a great head, the name of which in Seneca is Dagwa Noenyent. This head would pass through a forest and tear up the greatest trees by the roots.
The method used by the deceitful Metsi to rid the world of Hitchinna might remind one of the way of cooking oysters at the waterside in Virginia near the places where they are taken.
TIRUKALA
I have referred to Tirukala in the Wintu myth “Hawt.” The battle described in this myth and the child which rises from the spittle of Burnt Face and reaches maturity in one day, are very striking.
Tirukala gives the active, the working side of water as a personage, the widener of valleys, the pusher apart of mountains, the maker of all streams and rivers. Tirukala works without ceasing, he sings as he labors, and never eats food of any kind.