Ethnological Notes
Morris Opler
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Ethnological Note 1
To throw food about or to handle it carelessly is thought
very dangerous and unlucky. Even bones are not thrown around but are placed in a
neat pile and disposed of at once. To do otherwise is to invite the loss of
hunting skill and shortage of food.
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Ethnological Note 2
This refers to a previous episode wherein Beetle made
believe he was receiving a message concerning Coyote from people beneath the
earth and thus out-witted and escaped from Coyote. See Chiricahua Apache Text
15: "Coyote and Beetle".
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Ethnological Note 3
Frog is not referring to an actual road over to the
island. As Coyote's answer shows, he is suggesting that Coyote swim across.
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Ethnological Note 4
This is one of the rare instances where Coyote comes off
with honor in a food exchange story.