250 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1902. 



Fig. 45. 

 detail of fig. 44. 



foundation are caught also in the stitch. After two stitches are made 

 in this way the wrapping- continues. It is possible by counting this last 

 as well as the number of stitches to reproduce beautiful patterns on 

 the surface. The ornamentation also may be varied by the use of 

 different colored splints. This specimen is from the Watchumna 

 (Mariposan) Indians of middle California, but examples are in the 

 -|,^,,^_ ..^^ National Museum collected from 



Norway, Porto Rico, and Peru. 

 (See Plates 224 and 248.) 



C. Single-rod foandation.—ln 

 rattan basketr}' and Pacific coast 

 ware, called by Dr. J. W. Hud- 

 son tsai in the Pomo language, 

 the foundation is a single stem, 

 uniform in diameter. The stitch 

 passes around the stem in prog- 

 ress and is caught under the one 

 of the preceding coil, as in fig. 41 C. 

 In a collection of Siamese basketry 

 in the U. S. National Museum the specimens are all made after this 

 fashion. The foundation is the stem of the plant in its natural state; 

 the sewing is with splints of the same material, having the glistening 

 surface outward. As this is somewhat unyielding it is difficult to 

 crowd the stitches together, and so the foundation is visible between. 

 California is not far behind the East in the quality of material, willow 

 for the basis of the coil, and plants 

 in a variety of colors for the sew- 

 ing. The Siamese coiled basketry 

 has little of design on its surface, 

 but the Amei'ican basketmaker may 

 fix whatever her imagination ma}" 

 suggest. The effect of the plain 

 stitching is pleasing to the eye by 

 reason of the regular broken sur- 

 face. In America single-rod bas- 

 ketry is w^idely spread. Along the 

 Pacific coast it is found in northern 

 Alaska and as far south as the bor- 

 ders of Mexico. The Pomo Indians 

 use it in some of their finest work. 

 The roots of plants and soft stems of willow, rhus, and the like are 

 used for the sewing, and, being soaked thoroughly, can be crowded 

 together so as to entirely conceal the foundation. (See fig. 40.) 



Plate 25 represents a collection of Pomo treasure baskets, all in 

 single-rod foundation, called tsai by Dr. Hudson and ])am tsha or })am 



DETAIL OF .SINGLE-ROT) COIL IN KASKF.TRY. 



