Calientes, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, Jalis- 
co, Neuvo Léon, Querétaro, San Luis Potosi, 'Tamauli- 
pas, and Zacatecas in Mexico. The practice of sending 
pilgrims to gather it in the field has grown up among 
the Indians of the southern plains of the United States, 
following the long established custom of all the peyote- 
using tribes of Mexico. The pilgrims from this country 
use automobiles and bring back trailers full of peyote. 
The more northern tribes, however, are forced to pro- 
cure their supply of peyote (the dried heads of the cac- 
tus, usually called mescal buttons) through the mail from 
merchants in Laredo, Texas. This is permitted, since 
Lophophora Williamsii is not a narcotic under Federal 
regulation. Neither is it restricted in Mexico. However, 
the states of Colorado, North and South Dakota, Kan- 
sas, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma and Utah have taken 
legal action to prohibit the use, transportation and pos- 
session of peyote. This action was subsequently repealed 
in Oklahoma. However, in the enforcement of legal re- 
strictions difficulties have been encountered. 
Several business establishments in Laredo, Texas deal 
exclusively in meseal buttons (9 )*. The annual variation 
in price usually ranges from $2.50 to $5.00 a thousand 
buttons. I find that, for small amounts, the present price 
is $6.00 a thousand. The Laredo establishments supply 
most of the peyote used by tribes from Lowa north to the 
Canadian border. Some of the peyote used in Oklahoma 
and neighboring states is also supplied from Laredo. 
Independent gatherers average about two hundred 
heads a day in October. The heads are cut off, leaving 
the root in the ground to send forth new shoots. The fi- 
nancial returns of independent gatherers are meager un- 
less the sales are made to peyote-seeking pilgrims who 
3Italic numbers in parentheses refer to Bibliography. 
[ 1380 | 
