were a dark brown and had a hairy surface. Leaf tissue 
found rolled into a quid and carefully wrapped would 
immediately suggest the leaves of coca (Hrythroxylon 
Coca Lam.). Unfortunately, however, these fragments 
are too small and brittle to make identification possible. 
Fibers 
The larger of the two coiled baskets (80/4227) which 
were found in the bundle contained the mummy. Only 
the rim and sides of this specimen remain, the bottom 
presumably having disappeared as a result of the decom- 
position of the body which it held. The shape of the bas- 
ket is that of a basin with a somewhat inverted rim. The 
diameter between the borders of the rim averages 61 cm. ; 
the height of the sides approximately 22 cm. This latter 
figure probably closely represents the original height of 
the specimen. 
The coils consist of a bundle of split leaves or stems, 
presumably those of a large grass. They average 7 mm. 
in diameter and consist of approximately 50 longitudinal 
shreds. These shredded strips average 5 mm. in width; 
85 cm. in length, and in many instances are partially 
uncut and still attached to other strips at either the cen- 
ter or end of the coil. The material used in the sewing 
of the basket, as well as in the herringbone finish of the 
rim, consists of strips of fiber that closely resemble those 
that constitute the coils. 
The material used in the construction of the basket is 
from a large monocotyledonous plant, probably either 
‘‘cana brava’? (Gynerium sagittatum Beauv.) or a cat- 
tail (Typha angustifolia L.). Both plants have been re- 
covered from Paracas. Yacovleff and Muelle (1934) de- 
scribe the funeral basket contained in the bundle that 
they studied as made of the stems of Typha domingensis 
Kunth, which is now referred to T'ypha angustifolia L. 
[ 243 ] 
