338 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1902. 



Beyond the drudg-eries of life lie its beatitudes, and here the basket 

 is also present. In fine art, in social functions, in birth, in lore, in 

 custom, and even in burial it is not absent. 



A detailed description of the way in which these functions are per- 

 formed by basketr}', with abundant illustrations, will show just what 

 is meant in these declarations. 



IN THE CARRYING INDUSTRY 



Carryino' in l)askets was done by the Americans on the head, on the 

 back with head band or breast strap, and in the hands; about the 

 home the basket was scarcely ever absent. It was the strongest of all 

 Indian fabrics, easily made into any shape conv^enient to the load or 

 the carrier, and it was lightness itself. In a hemisphere almost devoid 

 of pack animals, where woman was the ubiquitous beast of burden, is 

 it any wonder that she invented the most economical of devices for 

 holding and transporting? Since nothing grows where it is wanted, 

 an attempt to enumerate the things transported in baskets would be to 

 list every natural material that contributed to the Indian's happiness. 

 Mineral, vegetal, and animal substances are all in there. Clay from 

 the quarry, water from the spring, stones for working, firewood, 

 edible roots, fruits, and seeds, textile materials, fish, flesh, and fowl 

 are a part of the freight ever on the move throughout the culture 

 areas. 



The carrying basket did not lose its multitudinous functions for 

 women with the departure of savagery. One has onl}- to look into 

 market houses and stores, walk along the streets, or visit farms in the 

 country to be convinced of this. 



They are borne on the head, shoulder, hips, or knees; they are hung 

 to the body in every possible fashion, and carried by two or more 

 persons with the hands — all for loading ships, cars, or wagons. They 

 are used also as panniers on the backs of animals, and smaller and 

 better specimens are used by the interminable procession of children 

 and l)u_yers and travelers. 



The transportation basket did not cease as a stimulus to invention 

 with its holding things and spurring the maker to do her best in its 

 composition. It waked up her mind in other directions. Her feet 

 had to be fith^ shod to gather materials; thus sandals were often in 

 basket work. Her clothing required adjustments to new occupations 

 and exposures in the new activities made possible by the art. Even 

 the baskets of other functions were perfected and new functions were 

 created by the carrying art. 



In the report of the U. S. National Museum for 1894'^ a large num- 



«0, T. Mason, Report of the U. S. National Museum, 1894, pp. 237-593, pis. 1-25, 

 fig3. 1-257. 



