354 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



takes much of that common in the Eastern cities, while the hair is 

 worn in the style known as "Pompadour." One advantage these 

 nymphs of the desert possess over those of tlie East is, that of being able 

 to carry their Iiead-gear with them when they retire to rest, the whole 

 being the work of Nature in themselves and nothing of art. By reason 

 of the extensive ravages of the small-pox, many of the houses are just 

 now empty, their occupants having fallen victims to a disease whose 

 merciless march they had not the scientific knowledge to stay. 



Among the Moquis settlements are found dogs, donkeys, sheep, 

 goats, and chickens, but not a single specimen of the feline tribe, nor 

 a hog, a cow, nor a horse. The donkey is almost indispensable, in that 

 it is their principal means of transporting wood, which has to be 

 brought great distances. In the absence of wood, dried sheep-excre 

 ment is extensively used as fuel. Very little grass is to be met with 

 in the vicinity cf the mesas, the entire country round about being a 

 vast sand-heap devoid of vegetation. For pasture the sheep are 

 driven off several miles northward to a few patches of poor grass. 



The chief article of subsistence of these natives is Indian-corn ; 

 they have no meat, excepting occasionally mutton. The sheep are 

 raised for their wool, and not for table-purposes. From the wool they 

 manufacture an extraordinarily good and serviceable blanket. 



The atmosphere being very dry, and no rains occurring sometimes 

 for several months, and with no streams near by for irrigating pur- 

 poses, it may well be inquired how these untutored aborigmes, on whom 

 tlie light of our civilization has not yet dawned, manage to })roduce 

 the article which furnishes them with the staff of life. The method 

 employed is as follows; The seed is planted at from one to two feet 

 beneath the sand and very wide apart. At this depth they have found 

 by experience that there is suflicient moisture to develop and sustain 

 the plant. On analyzing specimens of the soil, the chemist of the ex- 

 pedition has found that the experience of these untaught Indians is in 

 full accord with the results of his investigations. The interesting fact 

 was elucidated that subsoil at a distance of one foot contains two and 

 two-tenths per cent, of moisture to one per cent, at the surface, from 

 which it may be inferred with reason, that at no great depth there 

 must be a stratum of water. This water, ascending by capillary at- 

 traction, is rapidly evaporated as soon as it reaches the surface, on ac- 

 count of the looseness of the soil and the arid atmosphere. Grass-seed 

 scattered over the ground in this region of sand would fail to germi- 

 nate, and only be wasted. The only water in this locality is that sup- 

 plied by several small springs at the bases of the mesas. 



The bread made by the Moquis has a similarity to our " wafer." 

 In preparing it the corn is ground between two stones to a line powder, 

 water being subsequently added until the mixture is brought to a thin 

 paste. This paste is spread out with the hand in layers over a hot 

 stone, and in a few moments is ready for eating. Another variety of 



