THE HO PI INDIANS OF ARIZONA. 



743 



time, until the vessel has reached its proper height. The sides of 

 the vessel are then thinned down, and both inside and outside are 

 made smooth by means of small bits of gourds and polishing-stones. 

 The vessel is then ready for a coat of wash, after which it is painted 

 and fired. This method of making pottery is not peculiar to the 

 pueblos, but is found among some of the tribes of South America. 

 The art of basketry was never brought to a high state among 

 the Hopis, for they confine themselves chiefly to the manufacture of 

 large shallow trays and rough baskets made of the long, pliable 



m 



OKAir.l Km, K, I I'.'N WHICH .slAMcS KaTCIN KlKl', THK I'ui.Ni ll'A L (IlIAllll Mll:l.Nh, 



leaves of the yucca or of some other fiber. These answer all ordi- 

 nary domestic requirements. From the reddish-brown branches of 

 a willowlike bush which grows near, the Hopi mother interweaves a 

 cradle board for her children. This cradle is peculiar in its shape, 

 and especially so in its construction, and differs greatly from that 

 in use among the plains Indians. Another singular point to be 

 noted is the fact that this cradle board is not often strapped to 

 the back, but is usually in the arms, or, more often still, is placed 

 on the floor by the side of the mother as she works. The Oraibi 

 mesa, like other table-lands of Tusayan, is destitute of water. The 

 nearest spring is in the valley at the foot of the mesa nearly a mile 

 away. From before sunrise to ten o'clock of every day there is an 

 almost unbroken line of water carriers going and coming from the 



