Chapter XXXVII: Miscellaneous Magic

All tribes of the Lassen region exercised miscellaneous more or less supernatural powers which one might term magic.

Examples were: carrying a turtleshell on one’s belt which rendered a person immune to rattlesnake strikes, or, among Maidu the rubbing of the root of _Angelica breweri_ on the legs to keep rattlesnakes away. Poisoning of persons could be done by some skilled people (not shamans) by rubbing an unspecified substance on their hands and then touching the victim’s body; this could drive him crazy or kill him.

To mountain Maidu the number five was sacred and lucky according to Dixon.

Charm stones, usually in pairs were found by many fortunate Indians. They were smooth and rounded and were especially effective if possessing rings or other special markings on them which were actually surface traces of mineral veins. Quartz crystals, rare in this volcanic region, were also highly prized as charm stones. An ideal storage place for charm stones in their special basketry containers was in a rattlesnake “den” where such snakes tended to hibernate in the winter. At any rate charm stones were kept hidden and the owner would secretly rub them on himself to gain good luck in gambling or in other pursuits which involved much in the way of chance.

Prayers for a variety of reasons were offered simply by the individual. It was common practice every few days or so to make token food offerings at mealtime for no specific reason. The bits of food might be thrown to the east or into the fire.

* * * * * * * *

Thus ends this resume of the customs and beliefs of the tribes of the Lassen region—tribes virtually extinct as such today—tribes which once lived here among the scenic beauties of Lassen Volcanic National Park. We, the descendants of the relentless conquerors of these local Indians, come here now to enjoy ourselves and to refresh our bodies and spirits. As we do this on the lands of the vanquished, we owe them not only a moment of thoughtful reverence, but also whatever kindness and aid we are able to give their descendants.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dixon, Roland B.: BASKETRY DESIGNS OF THE INDIANS OF NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA
Feb. 12, 1902, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History,
Vol. 17, Part 1
Dixon, Roland B.: MAIDU MYTHS
June 30, 1902, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History,
Vol. 17, Part 2
Dixon, Roland B.: THE NORTHERN MAIDU
May 1905, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol.
17, Part 3
Garth, Thomas R.: KINSHIP TERMINOLOGY, MARRIAGE PRACTICES, AND
BEHAVIOR TOWARD KIN AMONG THE ATSUGEWI
July 1944, American Anthropologist, Vol. 46, No. 3
Garth, Thomas R.: EMPHASIS ON INDUSTRIOUSNESS AMONG THE ATSUGEWI
Oct. 1945, American Anthropologist, Vol. 47, No. 4
Garth, Thomas R.: ATSUGEWI ETHNOGRAPHY
Feb. 1953, Anthropological Records, University of California, Vol.
14, No. 2
Gifford, E. W. and Klimek, Stanislaw: CULTURE ELEMENT DISTRIBUTIONS:
II, YANA
1936, University of California Publications in American Archeology
and Ethnology, Vol. 37, No. 2
Heizer, R. F. and Whipple, M. A.: THE CALIFORNIA INDIANS
1951, University of California Press
Klimek, Stanislaw: CULTURE ELEMENT DISTRIBUTIONS: I, THE STRUCTURE OF
THE CALIFORNIA INDIAN CULTURE
1935, University of California Publications in American Archeology
and Ethnology
Kniffen, Fred B.: ACHOMAWI GEOGRAPHY
1928, University of California Publications in American Archeology
and Ethnology
Kroeber, A. L.: HANDBOOK OF THE INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA
1925, Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology,
Bulletin. No. 78
Kroeber, A. L.: CULTURE ELEMENT DISTRIBUTIONS: XV, SALT, DOGS, AND
TOBACCO
Feb. 1941, Anthropological Records, University of California, Vol.
6, No. 1
Mason, Otis T.: REPORT OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
1902
Merriam, C. Hart: CLASSIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PIT RIVER
INDIAN TRIBES
Smithsonian Institute, Vol. 78, No. 3
Pope, Saxton T.: THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF ISHI
May 15, 1920, University of California Publications in American
Archeology and Ethnology, Vol. 13, No. 5
Sapir, Edward: THE POSITION OF YANA IN THE HOKAN STOCK
June 1917, University of California Publications in American
Archeology and Ethnology, Vol. 13, No. 1
Sapir, Edward and Spier, Leslie: NOTES ON THE CULTURE OF THE YANA
Sept. 1943, Anthropological Records, University of California, Vol.
3, No. 3
Sauer, Carl O.: EARLY RELATIONS OF MAN TO PLANTS
Jan. 1947, Geographical Review
Vogelin, Ermine W.: CULTURE ELEMENT DISTRIBUTIONS: XX, NORTHEAST
CALIFORNIA
June 1942, Anthropological Records, University of California, Vol.
7, No. 2
Waterman, T. T.: THE YANA INDIANS
Feb. 1918, University of California Publications in American
Archeology and Ethnology, Vol. 13, No. 2

ASK
THE MAN IN THE
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE UNIFORM

_He’ll be glad to help you!_

BE PROUD OF
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK!

As a citizen of the United States it belongs to you. Keep it unspoiled for your next visit and for future generations by helping to:

1. Prevent forest fires.
2. Protect the flowers, the animal life, and the rock and mineral
formations.
3. Keep it clean.

This booklet is one of a series prepared by the Loomis Museum Association, a non-profit distributing organization sponsored by the Naturalist Department of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The Association is dedicated to the accumulation and dissemination of information concerning the history and natural history of this park. Toward this end it has published the following books available by mail. The post office address is Mineral, California. During the summer, these publications are also available at the Loomis Museum sales desk at Manzanita Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park.

GEOLOGY OF LASSEN’S LANDSCAPE, Schulz 55¢
PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE LASSEN VOLCANO, Loomis 85¢
GUIDE TO LASSEN PEAK HIGHWAY, Schulz 25¢
STORIES OF LASSEN’S PLACE NAMES, Schulz 40¢
BIRDS OF LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK AND VICINITY, Stebbins 85¢
FISH AND FISHING IN LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK, Potts 40¢
INDIANS OF THE LASSEN AREA Schulz 85¢

For mail orders please add 12% for postage and packing. If the addressee is in California also add 3% sales tax. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Transcriber’s Notes

—Silently corrected a few typos.

—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.

—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.