88 PLANTS USED BY THE KLAMATH INDIANS. 



Everiiia vulpina (L.) Ach. 



Shwa'-wi-sdm. — A bright yellow lichen, often called "yellow moss," 

 which grows in abundance on the trunks of yellow pine and other trees. 

 Porcupine quills obtained from the Modocs are immersed in a decoction 

 of this lichen and take on a beautiful bright yellow permanent stain. 

 These quills are then interwoven into baskets to form any yellow pat- 

 tern desired. 



EQUISETACEAE. 



Equisetum hyemale L. 



Wa-cJtak'-wis. — One of the common jointed scouring rushes. This 

 was formerly used to smooth arrow shafts, just as a carpenter uses 

 sandpaper to smooth the surface of wood. 



PINACEAE. 



Abies concolor (Gord.) Liiidl. 



Bit. — The white iir of the region, a tree occurring more or less abun- 

 dantly throughout the yellow-pine forest. Tlie wood of the tree is called 

 bit'-nihn. The bark is sometimes used to dye and tan buckskin, giving 

 it somewhat the appearance of ordinary tan-colored leather. 



Juuiperus occidentalis Hook. 



The common red cedar of the region, often made into bows for boys, 

 rarely in former days into those used by men, the yew being much 

 superior. 



Libocedms decurrens Torr. 



Wiil'-iriimh. — The u cedar"' of the region, a large tree occurring spar- 

 ingly, or in particular places abundantly, throughout the yellow-pine 

 forests. The wood of this tree (wol-wan'-sham) was used in former 

 times for tire blocks. My informant stated positively that the bark of 

 the tree, which some authors say is used for this purpose, is not the 

 part employed. For a twirling stick a dry, dead twig of yellow pine, 

 about 6* mm. (one-fourth inch) in diameter, seasoned and somewhat 

 softened by the weather, is often employed; but the best stick is made 

 of sagebrush, Artemisia tridentaia. 



At one of the Indian houses was seen a large V-shaped pack basket, 

 woven from strands of light, flexible wood, which apparently had been 

 split from large pieces of JAbocednis decurrens. 



The branches and twigs of this tree are often used in administering 

 a sweat bath to a sick person. 



Pinus lambertiaua Doug]. 



Ktd'-lo. — The great sugar pine, occurring in greater or less abundance 

 in the yellow-pine forests, particularly at their higher elevations. The 

 seeds are sometimes gathered for food. 



