58o THE POPULAR SCI^JVCE MONTHLY. 



also of his debasement — that he is suhlinie in being possessed of so 

 much of his Maker's image as enables him to contemplate all this 

 glorious mechanism ; but that he is also " a brother to the insensible 

 clod, which the rude swain turns with his share, and treads upon." 

 It also enforces the reflection of the old poet : 



" . . . . Except above himself he can 

 Erect himself, how mean a thing is man!" 



THE ZUOT IISTDIANS OF ]^EW MEXICO. 



By FRANCIS KLETT. 



ANOTHER interesting branch of the aborigines of ]N"orth Amer- 

 ica is that of the Zuni, a thriving tribe, inhabiting a remote 

 section of the "Western United States. This people belongs to the 

 Pueblos, a semi-civilized remnant of the Aztec Empire. Their home 

 is in an uninviting portion of the desert district of New Mexico, about 

 200 miles southeast of the Moquis settlements. 



Leaving Fort Wingate, our route lay southwest across a luxuriant, 

 well-timbered spur of the Zuni Mountain, and thence along the Rio 

 Zuni, which was dry, excepting in spots. Passing Ojo de Pescado, a 

 summer retreat of the Zuni, after a weary march through scorching 

 sands, we came, on July 22d, to the suburbs of Zuni town, the outline 

 of whose houses could be traced at a distance of more than a mile ; 

 even the characteristic ladder, extending far above the roof, being 

 distinctly visible. As we approached, single dwellings here and there 

 came into view, situated amid corn and water-melon fields. On coming 

 nearer, an old church stood prominently forth, its two well-preserved 

 bells hanging in an opening in the wall over the entrance. 



Unlike the Moquis, whose settlements are on lofty rocks, the Zuni 

 town is located on a slight rise above the level of the surrounding 

 plain. Its area is about half a square mile, with streets running here 

 and there at ris^ht ano-les. Much rubbish and debris are encountered 

 in entering the town. The houses are of adohe^ terraced, well built, 

 and principally of two — though some are of three, and not a few of 

 even four — stories. As a means of entrance, ladders are used ; al- 

 though in a few cases there are gronnd-doors {see engraving), still 

 the usual method of ingress is by ladder to the second story, thence 

 inside by steps up and down. Some of the dwellings have isinglass 

 windows, while the doors generally are hung on hinges. Each floor 

 is divided into several apartments. 



On arriving at the town, our guide, Swzano, a Zuni, insisted on 

 our first visit being made to himself. Climbing to the second story 

 of his house by ladder, we scrambled in after a fashion, and were wel- 



