458 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1902. 



early autumn are split into fine strands for direct use. At Round 

 Valley the process is as follows: The rootstocks, denuded of their outer 

 coverings, are thoroughly soaked in warm water, and one end of a root 

 is divided through the center, by means of the finger nails, into three 

 parts. One of these parts is held firmly between the teeth, while, by 

 means of the fingers, the whole root is carefully and very evenh^ split 

 into three sections. Each of these sections is again separated into 

 three parts in the same manner, and the same process is carried out 

 until the strands are as fine as may be desired, the value of the basket 





Fig. 165. 



tiny coiled basket. 



Porno Indians. 



Collected by C. P. Wilcoiub. 



depending in great measure upon the fineness of the strands used as 

 well as the general beauty of the finished faljric. These strands are 

 used not like those from the pine root in twined work, but for thread 

 for sewing coiled ware. In beginning the basket, three very pliant 

 stems are so selected that when placed together their combined cross 

 sections will be nearly circular. The use of three "sticks" instead of 

 one, as is sometimes the case in less costly baskets, gives much more 

 elasticity and greater strength to the basket. The strand is wrapped 

 tightly about one end of the compound withe, and as the wrapping 



Fig. 166. 



tiny coiled basket. 



Porno Indian.s. 



Collected by C. P. Wilcom 



progresses, the wand is bent into a minute circle; the central hole is 

 filled in by stitching over and over again, and with this as a basis the 

 little plaque is gradually built up by coiling. The general shape and 

 plan of the basket must necessarily be carried in mind, for there is no 

 skeleton to serve as a guide. Infinite care must therefore be exer- 

 cised, not onl}" in preserving the symmetry of shape, but also the 

 symmetry of the designs which are worked in with the black and white 

 strands. It requires many months, sometimes years, of leisure work 

 to complete a first-class basket. Some of the ver}^ best are more or 

 less individual in their shape and pattern. (Chesnut.) 



