Travels Amongst American Indians, Their Ancient Earthworks and Temples Including a Journey in Guatemala, Mexico and Yucatan, and a Visit to the Ruins of Patinamit, Utatlan, Palenque and Uxmal

CHAPTER VIII.

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North American Indians. — Diversity of Languages. — The Iroquois. — Dialects. — Descent of Iroquois chiefs through the female line. — Pagan Indians. — Belief in a Great Spirit. — Ceremonies. — Dakotas. — Superstitions. — Dreams. — Fasts. — Sun worship. — Medicine men. — Customs of mourning by widows. — Supernatural influences. — Lightning. — Transmigration. — Worship of Spirit rocks. — Serpent worship. — Human sacrifices. — Burial customs. — Method of curing sickness by steam. — Note upon analogies between the customs of the Indians, Maoris, and the natives of the Sandwich Islands 149