Note 489 — Chapter XX · ART AND MAGIC
Reading edition
On images of children worn by barren women in order to remove sterility see Binger, Du Niger, ii. p. 230 (Agnis, Wolofs); Casalis, The Basutos, p. 251; Taylor, Te Ika a Maui, p. 213; Powers, Tribes of California, p. 318 (Nishinam). In this connection we may also refer to the bird-shaped amulets of the North American Indians, which by some authors have been explained as emblematic of maternity. Cf. Abbott, Primitive Industry, p. 370. Whether they also have been thought of as possessing a magical efficacy is, however, impossible to decide.