"In an open area in the centre of the village stands the ark or 'big canoe,' around which a great proportion of the ceremonies were performed. This rude symbol, of 8 or 10 feet in height, was constructed of planks and hoops, having somewhat the appearance of a large hogshead standing on its end, and containing some mysterious things, which none but the _medicine_ (mystery) men were allowed to examine." This must be considered in connection with the following. BURTON. In the opening procession of the third day's customs, Captain Burton tells us (ii. 2), "First came a procession of eighteen Tansi-no or fetish women, who have charge of the last monarch's grave.... They were preceded by bundles of matting, eight _large stools_, calabashes, pipes, _baskets_ of _water_, grog, and meat with segments of _gourd_ above and below, tobacco bags, and other commissariat articles; and they were followed by a band of horns and _rattles_."[215] [215] Compare the procession in the Panathenæa and Dionysia, _supra_, p. 248. In another procession (ii. 47), "The party was brought up by slave girls carrying baskets and calabashes. (Query, of water?) These, preceded by six bellowing horns, stalked in slowly, and with measured gait the _eight_ Tansi-no, who serve and pray for the ghosts of dead kings. (Query, eight dead kings?) In front went _their_ ensign, a copper measuring rod 15 feet long and tapering to a very fine end; behind it were two chauris and seven mysterious pots and calabashes wrapped in _white_ and _red_ checks," and presently "three brass, four copper, and six iron pots, curiosities on account of their great size.... _Eight_ images, of which three were apparently _ship's figureheads_ whitewashed, and the rest very hideous efforts of native art."[216] [216] "Eight men representing eight buffalo bulls," in Mandan celebration, "took their positions on the four sides of the ark or 'big canoe.'"--Catlin, p. 17. "The _chief actors_ in these strange scenes were _eight_ men with skins of buffaloes," &c. p. 16. Four images were suspended on poles above the mystery lodge, p. 8. CATLIN.