But perhaps the most interesting of Micmac magical herbs is
that known as mededeskooi, or, as the Micmacs translate it, "rattling plant," because its three leaves strike each other constantly
with a sound like that of the rattlesnake. I have not been able
to identify the plant, nor can I positively assert that it really exists.
I have met but one Micmac who claimed to have seen it, and generally the Micmacs are reluctant to talk about it, because of its
highly mystical associations. But it is certainly strongly suggestive of the pasaw, or rattlesnake root, of the Creeks, already referred
to, which occupies the same preeminence, and gives its name to the
whole magic decoction used at initiations.1 The Micmacs describe
the plant as resembling the wild turnip. It stands about knee
high, with leaves about eight inches long, like those of the poplar. Its root is the size of one's fist, and the stalk is surrounded by numerous brownish yellow balls as large as buckshot. Others
describe the plant as being much smaller. Stephen Bartlett, who
thinks he saw the plant, buried some of the yellow balls, but next
morning they and the plant had disappeared. As Stephen admits,
however, that he did not go through any of the ceremonies necessary in approaching the plant, he is considered a doubtful authority,
even by himself.
To find the plant, one must first hear the bird
called cooasoonech ("dwelling in old logs") singing in an interval in the forest, otherwise the plant is invisible. This bird is brown
and very small, but is chosen chief of all the birds because he is
quickest and can hide in the smallest holes. He is sometimes called booöin, "the magician," from his aptitude for quick disappearance,
and his ability to fly through fire without being injured. When he
sings, one should follow him at once, although, like the mystic songster known in Yucatan, he often leads one on and on through the
forest depths, leaving him at last lost and forlorn. But the fortunate
6ne will at length hear the rattling leaves of the magic plant as he
approaches it, and then the plant itself will soon be seen. He must
now gather thirty sticks and lay them in a pile near the plant. Next
he must induce a girl, the more beautiful the better, to accompany
him to the plant. Under circumstances of the greatest temptation,
both must have no wish save to obtain the medicine or the plant will
disappear. They must approach it crawling on hands and knees.
Now the plant is inhabited by the spirit of a rattlesnake, which
comes forth as they near the plant, and circles around it.1 The man
must pick up the serpent, which will then disappear without harming
him. These tests of perseverance, self-control, and courage are all
I have heard, but there may be others. The plant must be divided
in four portions, of which three may be taken, but one must be
left standing. The three parts are scraped and steeped and a portion worn about the person. Some say that, divided in seven parts,
this medicine will cure seven diseases, but the great majority
believe that it will cure any disease and gratify any wish. It is
held to be especially potent as a love-compeller. No woman can
resist it. If the possessor wills it, she will follow him until he
breaks the spell by touching her. This attribute is held also by
the "seven-hued lilies of Te-net-sa-li," already referred to, and by
the flowers of the goddess Xochiquetzal in Mexico, the touch of
which produced everlasting love. It may be worthy of notice that
the mnededeskoo' is a trefoil plant. Many instances of its power over women are related as occurring recently, and for this and other reasons I am told the Micmacs strongly deprecate the knowledge and use of it. If the circumstances of these stories suggest some knowledge of hypnotism amongst them, I simply state the fact. Personally I have not yet seen any evidence of such power there. The rattlesnake which accompanies the plant brings it at once into touch with the mysteries in all parts of the globe. The same species is associated by the Micmacs with a dance which they used to perform only at night. This dance was mystical in a marked degree, and was connected with the Pleiades.
Stansbury Hagar
1 Is it a mere verbal coincidence which connects this plant with the Piasa (pro- nounced piasaw), the winged serpent of Illinois described by McA
1 Hernandez, physician of Philip
II., quoted by Brasseur, states that the Mexicans used an herb called ololiuhqui or serpent plant when they wished to consult
with their gods. By means of it they were enabled to behold a thousand visions
and the forms of hovering demon
