DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42067#0215
Art of the North Pacific Coast of North America
187
Fig. 157 b is another representation of a beaver from the model
of a totem pole. It resembles the former one in all details, except
that the stick is missing. The beaver is merely holding its three-
toed forepaws raised to the chin. In other carvings the beaver is
shown with four or five toes, but the symbols described here
never vary.
On the handle of a spoon (fig. 158), the head and forepaws of
the beaver are shown; and in its mouth are indicated an upper pair
of incisors, all the other teeth being omitted. The scaly tail is shown
on the back of the spoon. The nose differs from the one previously
described only in the absence of the spiral development of the nostril.
Its form and size agree with the preceding specimens.
In the centre of the front of a dancing head-dress (fig. 159), a
beaver is represented in squatting position. The symbols mentioned
before will be recognized here. The face is human, but the ears,
which rise over the forehead, indicate that an animal is meant. Two
large pairs of incisors occupy the center of the open mouth. The
tail, with cross-hatchings, is turned up in front of the body, and
appears between the two hind legs. The forepaws are raised to the
height of the mouth, but they do not hold a stick.1 The nose is
short, with large round nostrils and turns abruptly into the forehead.
On the chest of the beaver another head is represented over which
a number of small rings stretch upward. This animal represents the
dragon-fly, which is symbolized by a large head and a slender seg-
mented body.2 Its feet extend from the corners of its mouth towards
the haunches of the beaver. Its face resembles a human face; but
the two ears, which rise over the eyebrows, indicate that an animal
is meant. In many representations of the dragon-fly there are
two pairs of wings attached to the head. Combinations of two
animals similar to the present one are found frequently, as in
figs. 165, 170 and 235.
1 For additional representations of the beaver see figs. 216, 225, 228, 229, 230,
255, 283.
2 See p. 192.
187
Fig. 157 b is another representation of a beaver from the model
of a totem pole. It resembles the former one in all details, except
that the stick is missing. The beaver is merely holding its three-
toed forepaws raised to the chin. In other carvings the beaver is
shown with four or five toes, but the symbols described here
never vary.
On the handle of a spoon (fig. 158), the head and forepaws of
the beaver are shown; and in its mouth are indicated an upper pair
of incisors, all the other teeth being omitted. The scaly tail is shown
on the back of the spoon. The nose differs from the one previously
described only in the absence of the spiral development of the nostril.
Its form and size agree with the preceding specimens.
In the centre of the front of a dancing head-dress (fig. 159), a
beaver is represented in squatting position. The symbols mentioned
before will be recognized here. The face is human, but the ears,
which rise over the forehead, indicate that an animal is meant. Two
large pairs of incisors occupy the center of the open mouth. The
tail, with cross-hatchings, is turned up in front of the body, and
appears between the two hind legs. The forepaws are raised to the
height of the mouth, but they do not hold a stick.1 The nose is
short, with large round nostrils and turns abruptly into the forehead.
On the chest of the beaver another head is represented over which
a number of small rings stretch upward. This animal represents the
dragon-fly, which is symbolized by a large head and a slender seg-
mented body.2 Its feet extend from the corners of its mouth towards
the haunches of the beaver. Its face resembles a human face; but
the two ears, which rise over the eyebrows, indicate that an animal
is meant. In many representations of the dragon-fly there are
two pairs of wings attached to the head. Combinations of two
animals similar to the present one are found frequently, as in
figs. 165, 170 and 235.
1 For additional representations of the beaver see figs. 216, 225, 228, 229, 230,
255, 283.
2 See p. 192.