The evening of the first day the ceremony of taking the “Black Drink,” Pa-sa-is-kit-a, is endured. This drink was described to me as having both a nauseating smell and taste. It is probably a mixture similar to that used by the Creek in the last century at a like ceremony. It acts as both an emetic and a cathartic, and it is believed among the Indians that unless one drinks of it he will be sick at some time in the year, and besides that he cannot safely eat of the green corn of the feast. During the drinking the dance begins and proceeds; in it the medicine men join. At that time the Medicine Song is sung. My Indian would not repeat this song for me. He declared that any one who sings the Medicine Song, except at the Green Corn Dance or as a medicine man, will certainly meet with some harm. That night, after the “Black Drink” has had its effect, the Indians sleep. The next morning they eat of the green corn. The day following is one of fasting, but the next day is one of great feasting, “Hom-pi-ta-çlak-o,” in which “Indian eat all time,” “Hom-pis-yak-i-ta.” [Illustration: Fig. 77. Green Corn Dance.] ---------------------------------------------------------------- ++++++ N. Squaws | -+-E “O-PÛN-KA-TO-LO-KA-TI” | or the Dance Circle S. “HIL-LIS-WA-MA-TOE-UL-KI” Men who watch the +--+ \ | / medicine fire | | -- O -- ++ | | / | \ X +++ | | Medicine Medicine +--+ The Fire or Fire Men “TEOK-KO-CLACO” “O-PÛN-KA-TOT-KIT-A” House where the warriors sit. Squaws ++++++ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Use Of Medicines. Concerning the use by the Indians of medicine against sickness, I learned only that they are in the habit of taking various herbs for their ailments. What part incantation or sorcery plays in the healing of disease I do not know. Nor did I learn what the Indians think of the origin and effects of dreams. Me-le told me that he knows of a plant the leaves of which, eaten, will cure the bite of a rattlesnake, and that he knows also of a plant which is an antidote to the noxious effects of the poison ivy or so-called poison oak. General Observations. I close this chapter by putting upon record a few general observations, as an aid to future investigation into Seminole life. Standard of Value.