ABOKiaiNAL AMEKICAN 15ASKETRY. 227 



the warp strands passing over three and under one. In such work 

 there was opportunity to use double warp and weft, the strips of eane 

 hiid together so as to expose two bright surfaces. 



In order to var}- the texture of twilled work, the ancient inhabitants 

 of the Mississippi Valley knew how to use for war[) and weft sub- 

 stances of different widths. On a fragment of ancient potter}^ from 

 Pope Count}', Tennessee, Holmes found impressions of ancient basketry. 

 Fig. 8 shows how these ancient weavers utilized wide fiber of bast or 

 split cane for the warp, and string for the weft, j)assing in their work 

 over two each time. For the uses of woven fabrics on making pottery 



Fig. 10. 

 wicker basket. 

 Zuni, New Mexico. 



Cat. No. ■loaill, U.S.N.M. C.illei-ted liy .1. W. I'ov 



and the interesting way in which the history of lost arts hav^e })een 

 preserved, see Part Vll. 



Excellent variety was also produced in this kind of weaving by 

 means of color. Almost any textile plant when si)lit has two coloi's, 

 that of the outer, or bark surface, and that of the interior woody 

 surface or pith. Also the different plants used in diagonal l)asketry 

 have great variety of color. By the skillful manipulation of the two 

 sides of a splint, by using plants of different species, or with dyed 

 elements, geometric patterns, frets, labyrinths, and other designs in 

 straight line are possible. (See fig. 9.) 



