[15] Compare the story of the [Canoe people who wear headdresses]. [↑]
[16] These dead falls may have been constructed something like the dead falls used for marten (Kꜝū′x̣u sqā′baga-i), which were described to me as follows:
Fig. 5.—Diagram of marten deadfall.
A stake (a) was driven into the ground, and a small stick (b) carrying the bait (c) at one end was fastened to this about midway up. Another stake (d) was then driven into the ground some distance in front of these and to one side. Over the top of this another stick was laid extending toward the bait. At that end it was held to the stick b by a noose lying in a notch just back of the bait. The bait was also fastened to this noose. The other end of the stick e supported one end of the stick f, which constituted the dead fall proper. This was weighted along the end g [[263]]next to the ground; and it also had four posts (h) to guide it in its descent. They were curved over from each side and fastened together at the top. To prevent the animal from approaching the bait in any other way similar stakes were continued up to and around it. Now, when the bait was pulled off, the noose came away from its notch, whereupon the stick e flew up, letting f down upon the animal’s back. The Haida name for d is x̣ā′ña kꜝudjigā′ño; for e, x̣ā′ña-i; for f, sî′txa sqā′gîda. The weights are called qeng̣ałā′ño. [↑]
[17] Only the roots of this plant were used. [↑]
[18] That is, “Has the snow melted from the roots of the łkꜝiê′nkunᴀn?” [↑]
[19] Human or supernatural beings who have become animals are usually identified in this way. [↑]