ABOHIGINAL AMERICAN 1}ASKP:TRY. 511 



specimens are nearly always marked with the arrow pt)int, the pattern 

 running- vertically from the center. Their proriciency is accounted 

 for in the fact that the land allowed them on the (J ila River is the 

 least productive of any on the reservation, hence their dependence 

 on basket makino- for a living-. 



The center or l)eg-innino- of either Apache coiled bowl or olla is 

 always wrapped with l)lack (devil claw) and the rim finished with the 

 same stitch as that used throughout the body of the work, both or 

 either colors l)eing used. 



Plate 224 is a nund>er of Apache coiled ])owls belonging- to the col- 

 lection of J. W. Benham. The foundation is in whoh^ stem and the 

 sewing done with splints of white wood and maftyina. A compari- 

 son of these ten pieces reveals tolerably well the genius of Apache 

 decorations. There are discrete figures of men and beasts; there are 

 both radial and concentric designs; in the crenelated (tig, 10) and 

 fretted motives (tigs. 5 and '.)) suggestions arise which point to the 

 Tulare area. The Apache, naturally a wanderer, has picked up here 

 a little and there a little of design. 



The White Mountain Apaches are clustered around Camp Apache, 

 the agency, and on two of the lai-ge creeks running- south from the 

 Mogollon mesa. The art of basket making is not actively practiced 

 at ])resent, the younger members of the tribe finding- it difficult to 

 learn and saying that it injures their hands. Some of the old women, 

 however, retain the ancient skill, and even superior work may be 

 secured from the reservation. It nniy he said that the carrying baskets 

 and the pitched watcu- bottles arc as freijuently made as ever and are 

 in constant use, when^as the tiner l)owls, which were formerly connnon, 

 as among the Pueblo tribes, for storing meal, etc., are growing rarer 

 every year and conunand high prices. 



The baskets shown in Plate l>l>.5. Catalogue Nos. 2132(;2 and 218268, 

 U. S. National Museum, Avere secured at the agency in the summer of 

 1001. 



Fig, 1 is a small, well-woven bowl, the design representing the sun- 

 flower. 



The second figure is a modern basket with geometrical pattern, 

 which in certain portions is (pnte inaccurately worked out. On the 

 whole the design is excellent, 



Plate 226 represents coiled l>asket bowls of the White Mountain 

 Apache, The foundation of the upjier figure is of willow, the sewing 

 in splints of white wood and martynia in alternate rows, which are 

 divided into four sections by V-shaped ornaments etiected by chang- 

 ing the direction of the lines in l)]ack. 



The lower figure is the same material, foundation of rods, sewing 

 in white and black coarsely done, stitches scarcely touching. The 

 whole surface is covered with rhomboidal figures produced by crossing 



