Their astronomical knowledge is very limited. They distinguish the north star (Polaris), and are aware of its being apparently stationary, while the others seem to revolve. Venus is known by the name of _Me-ka-ka-tun-guh_, or big star. The constellation of the seven stars (Pleiades), is called _Tapa_, or deer's head. The constellation of the great bear (Ursa major), is distinguished by the term _Wa-ba-ha_, or car for transporting sick or wounded {9} persons on a march. The galaxy is called _Wahconda-o-jun-ga_, or the path of the Master of Life. When the moon is eclipsed, they say _Me-om-bottsa_, or the moon is dead; and when the sun is eclipsed, they say the sun is dead. A comet they denominate _Me-ka-ka-nare_, or blazing star; this name, at least, was given to the comet of 1811; they regarded it as portending the death of some great chief; and as it happened, one of the great Pawnee chiefs did die the same year, which confirmed them in their notion. The three stars of Orion's belt, are called _Me-huh-se_, or the goose-foot. Wangewaha, the Hard Heart, chief of the Ioways, has made himself considerably acquainted with the manners of the white people; he surprised Mr. Dougherty one day by inquiring, if it is true that the earth revolves round the sun; he was of course answered in the affirmative; when a sarcastic Indian of a group sitting near, was overheard to say in a low voice, that it was indeed a pretty story to tell them, when any person could see the sun rise there, pass along in that direction, and set there (pointing with his finger to the apparent course of the luminary). The day is divided into morning, noon, evening, and night; and respectively indicated by the words, _Cas-aht-te_, _Me-o-kons-ka_, _Paz-za_, and _Hon-da_. Any particular hour of the day is denoted by pointing to the apparent place of the sun at the specified time. The years are denoted by the number of winters, and the months by lunations. Their geographical knowledge of the country over which they roam is remarkably exact. They know intimately every river and creek in the vicinity of the Missouri, from Grand river up to the Arickaree nation, on the left side of the river, and as far down as the Osage river on the right, and south as far as the Black Hills, together with their courses and distances.