[228] Compare p. 448 in "Flint Chips," (E. T. Stevens). "The Omahas possess a _sacred shell_, which is regarded as an object of great sanctity by the whole nation. It has been transmitted from generation to generation, and its origin is unknown. A skin _lodge is appropriated to it_, and in this lodge a man, appointed as a guard to the shell, constantly resides. It is placed upon a stand, and is _never suffered to touch the earth_. It is concealed from sight by a _number of mats_ made of strips of skin plaited. The whole forms a large package, from which _tobacco_" (comp. Stevens' "Flint Chips," p. 315, and Catlin, _supra_) "and the _roots of trees_" (comp. supra, p. 155), "and other objects are suspended," &c. &c. At pp. 477-78 there is perhaps a still more definite tradition of the Deluge (confused as usual with traditions of the Creation) in connection with the idol Topan. "Not far from Mettogamma (said the interpreter) lies an exceeding _high mountain ... the top of which_ stand several temples which may be seen a great distance off at sea. In these temples the Bonzies worshipped that great God which formerly created the sun, moon, and stars, but also fifteen lesser deities which some ages since conversed upon the earth (compare pp. 63, 97.) Then follows their account of the Creation. "Mankind not only increased in number but also in wickedness, differing more and more from their heavenly extract, growing still worse and worse, mocking at thunder, _rainbows_, and fire; nay, they blasphemed the great God himself (whom when the interpreter named, he bowed his head to the ground), whereupon He called His inferior deities about Him, telling them that He resolved to destroy and ruin all things ... and make a _round_ globe, in which the four elements should be all resolved _into their former mass_; and chiefly He commanded the idol Topan to make thunder balls to shoot through the air and fire all the kingdoms with lightning ... so that none were saved except _one man and his family_, that had entertained and duly worshipped the gods." Of the god Topan it had been previously said "that some years since he saw the temple of the idol Topan, whose image stood on a copper altar, cast like clouds, himself armed as a warrior, a coronet helmet on his head, his hand grasping a mighty club, and seeming to fly through the sky and moving his club to occasion thunder. When it thundered, a Bonzi, whose head was adorned with consecrated leaves [Query, the olive or willow?] which no thunder could harm," offered _several fishes_." (Comp. 197, 203.) _Vide_ also p. 94, representation of the fish-god in the person of their "god Canon" [where we read of their "gods Canon and Camis or Chamis;" if we were to substitute Canaan and Cham, _quid vetat_?][229]