THE ZUNI IN^DIAj^S OF NEW MEXICO. 



583 



erator squats on the ground, using for a shuttle a stick to which the 

 wool for the cross-threads is fastened. The operation of weaving is 

 skillfully performed, although a long time is required in the manufact- 

 ure of one of their blankets. 



The domestic animals of the Zuni are goats, fowl of all kinds, a 

 {qw head of cattle and donkeys — every family owning several of tbe 

 latter, which, while serving for transporting wood great distances, as 

 well as for riding, are used chiefly in cultivating the fields. One 

 specimen among the goats had four horns, as shown in the engraving, 

 and was said to belong to the species formerly common among the 

 Navajos, called cimeron. The sheep are raised for their wool. 



Fig. 3. 



Head of Four-horned Sheep. 



Outside the town there is a large farm, of which a sketch is pre- 

 sented. It is cultivated in common by the Zuni, although divided 

 into patches, or small gardens, one of which belongs to each family. 

 No rains occurring for long periods, irrigation is resorted to, the water 

 being suj^plied by the Rio Zuni, in the vicinity of the town ; this water 

 is salty. For drinking-purposes, wells are sunk at different points, 

 good water being everywhere abundant at a moderate depth. The 

 staple products are wheat and corn ; vegetables are raised in abun- 

 dance, chiefly onions, chile (Spanish pepper), and caraway. From dose 

 conversation with the people, however, one would suppose their par- 

 tiality for the first-mentioned vegetable predominated. Melons and 

 pumpkins are also considerably cultivated. 



Sauntering about the village, several underground courts were en- 

 countered, as well as subterranean passages from one square to another, 

 and to the old Catholic church. This church is of adobe, and at least 

 200 years old ; it is 120 feet long, 40 feet wide, and, within, 130 feet 

 in height. The altar is covered with a profusion of carving, which 

 still shows in traces gilding and colors ; it has a painted altar-piece 

 of rude construction, representing the ascension of the Virgin Mary ; 

 here and there are carved statues of saints, while on the walls are two 

 illegible inscriptions in Latin. In this church, we were told, a zealous 

 priest celebrated the rites of the Romish Church for a brief period ; 

 but no Gloria or Te Deum has been heard within its wall for upward 

 of a hundred years. 



The Zuni authorities are a governor and high priest ; the latter is 



