Allied with these beliefs we find shamanistic medico-
religious practices invoking assistance for the sick.
Their mythological figures fall into four classes: (i) super-
natural beings of a zoomorphic type, with many of the
attributes of deity ; (2) guardian spirits ; (3) evil spirits ; (4)
culture-heroes.
The first class includes the Coyote, Blue Jay, Robin, Skunk,
and Panther, etc. As has been said, there is little doubt that
such beings were originally totems of various Chinookan clans,
although these clans are without special tribal names, being
simply designated as 'those dwelling at such and such a place.'
They may, however, have lost their tribal names — a common

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THE GREAT MYTHIC SYSTEMS

occurrence when tribes become sedentary — while retaining
their totemistic concepts.
Italapas, the Coyote, is one of the Chinook gods of the
first class, and may be regarded as the head of the pantheon.
Nearly equal to him in importance is Blue Jay, who figures
in nearly every myth of Chinook origin ; but whereas
Italapas the Coyote assisted Ikanam, the Creator, in the
making of men, and taught them various arts, Blue Jay's
mission is obviously dissension ; and he well typifies the
bird from which he takes his name, and probably his totem
derivation. He figures as a mischievous tale-bearer, braggart,
and cunning schemer, and resembles Loki of Scandinavian
mythology.
His origin is touched upon in a myth of the journey of the
Thunderer through the country of the Supernatural People,
where, with Blue Jay's help, the Thunderer and his son-in-law
obtain possession of the bows and targets of the inhabitants.
