NO. lO 



ARCHEOLOGY OF MIMBRES VALLEY FEWKES 



35 



The markings on the body are syml)ohc, suggesting- Hghtning, and it 

 may be added that the Hoi)i depict the Hghtning on the artificial horns 

 mounted on caps and worn by them in presentations of dances in 

 which they personate motmtain sheep. 



Rabbit or More. — The pictured representation (fig. 31 ) of a quad- 

 ruped whose hindlegs are larger than the forelegs and whose long 

 backward extending ears are prominent features, probably repre- 

 sents a rabbit or a hare. The eyes recall figures of birds depicted on 

 bowls from the Little Colorado ruins in Arizona, where eyes are 



F'lG. 2,^. — Mountain lion or wild cat. 

 (Osborn collection.) 



P"iG. -'5. — Bird H. Osborn Ruin. 

 (Oshorn collection.) 



depicted on one side of the head in violation of a law of perspective in 

 which only one eye can appear on a lateral view. The figure appears 

 to have a tuft of grass in the mouth. The geometric markings on the 

 body are dilTerent from those of any known species of rabbit and 

 belong to the category of symbolic designs. 



The author excavated at Oldtown a food bowl, the figure on which 

 was undoubtedly intended for a rabbit (fig. 22) . The head, ears, body, 

 legs, and tail are well made, leaving no question of the intention of the 

 artist ; but if there were any doubt of the identification it is dispelled 

 by the representation of the mouth, on which the sensitive hairs or 

 bristles are represented. 



