The characters were all drawn upon birch bark, as is usual with the “medicine songs” of the Ojibwa, and the words suggested by the incisions were chanted. The incompleteness of some of the phrases was accounted for by the shaman by the fact that they are gradually being forgotten. The ceremonies are now of infrequent occurrence, which tends to substantiate this assertion. One song, as presented on a single piece of birch bark, really consists of as many songs as there are mnemonic characters. Each phrase, corresponding to a character, is repeated a number of times; the greater the number of repetitions the greater will be the power of inspiration in the singer. One song or phrase may, therefore, extend over a period of from two to ten or more minutes. The song covers much more time when dancing accompanies it, as is the case with the first one presented below. The dancing generally commences after a pause, designated by a single vertical bar. The following characters are taken from A, Pl. XVII, and are here reproduced separately to facilitate explanation: [Illustration] The earth, spirit that I am, I take medicine out of the earth. The upper figure represents the arm reaching down toward the earth, searching for hidden remedies. [Illustration] (Because of) a spirit that I am, my son. The headless human figure emerging from the circle is a mysterious being, representing the power possessed by the speaker. He addresses a younger and less experienced Midē' or shaman. [Illustration] Bar or rest. The vertical line denotes a slight pause in the song, after which the chant is renewed, accompanied by dancing. [Illustration] They have pity on me, that is why they call us to the Grand Medicine. The inner circle represents the speaker’s heart; the outer circle, the gathering place for shamans, while the short lines indicate the directions from which the shamans come together. [Illustration] I want to see you, medicine man. The figure of a head is represented with lines running downward (and forward) from the eyes, donating sight. The speaker is looking for the shaman, spoken to, to make his appearance within the sacred structure where the Midē' ceremonies are to take place. [Illustration] My body is a spirit. The character is intended to represent the body of a bear, with a line across the body, signifying one of the most powerful of the sacred Man'idōs or spirits, of the Midē' wiwin or “Grand Medicine Society.” [Illustration] You would [know] it, it being a spirit. The figure of a head is shown with lines extending both upward and downward from the ears, denoting a knowledge of things in realm of the Man'idōs above, and of the secrets of the earth beneath. [Illustration] As I am dressed, I am.