Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/272

 260 Journal of American Folk-Lore.

near Forest Grove, Oregon, is prominently popular. It is a large mon- ster on four legs, with long horns, a spotted body, and followed by small dogs, also spotted. It carries various things tied around its body and is frightful in its appearance. Children are allured by it to step over the soft and slimy banks of the lake into its waters, after which they become helplessly entangled in the mud and weeds of the desolate spot. When called upon by their parents to return to the shore they reappear at times at the surface to disappear again, the only audible words they proffer being, "we have changed bodies." This water-basin also draws elks, deer, and other game into its bosom and absorbs them, never surrendering them afterwards. When a grizzly bear turns old, he goes there, and by the waters is changed into another beast, either natural or monstrous.

Another aquatic being or spirit of the Kalapuya people is the Atuukai, whose home is in the depth of rivers, lakes, and in deep and sombre waters. Those who saw it describe it as resembling a seal or sea-otter. When a grizzly or other animal is drawn by magic into a water pool and metamorphosed into another animal, it is most likely the atunkai that will form its future body.

Albert S. Gatschet.

�� �