ally as were most valued in lifetime.
The idea was that there was a spirit dwelling in the article
represented by the material article; thus the war-club contained a
spiritual war-club, the pipe a spiritual pipe, which could be used
by the departed in another world. These several spiritual implements
were supposed, of course, to accompany the soul, to be used also on
the way to its final abode. This habit has now ceased.

_FOOD._

This subject has been sufficiently mentioned elsewhere in connection
with other matters and does not need to be now repeated. It has been an
almost universal custom throughout the whole extent of the country to
place food in or near the grave of deceased persons.

_DANCES._

Gymnastic exercises, dignified with this name, upon the occasion of a
death or funeral, were common to many tribes. It is thus described by
Morgan:[98]

An occasional and very singular figure was called the "dance for the
dead." It was known as the _O-he-wae._ It was danced by the women
alone. The music was entirely vocal, a select band of singers being
stationed in the center of the room. To the songs for the dead which
they sang the dancers joined in chorus. It was plaintive and
mournful music. This dance was usually separate from all councils
and the only dance of the occasion. It was commenced at dusk or soon
after and continued until towards morning, when the shades of the
dead who were believed to be present and participate in the dance
were supposed to disappear. The dance was had whenever a family
which had lost a member called for it, which was usually a year
after the event. In the spring and fall it was often given for all
the dead indiscriminately, who were believed then to revisit the
earth and join in the dance.

The interesting account which now follows is by Stephen Powers[99] and
relates to the Yo-kai-a of California, containing other matters of
importance pertaining to burial:

I paid a visit to their camp four miles below Ukiah, and finding
there a unique kind of assembly-house, desired to enter and examine
it, but was not allowed to do so until I had gained the confidence
of the old sexton by a few friendly words and the tender of a silver
half dollar. The pit of it was about 50 feet in diameter and 4 or 5
feet deep, and it was so heavily roofed with earth that the interior
was damp and somber as a tomb. It looked like a low tumulus, and