INDIANS OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 627 



A mat is also made from the iuiier bark of tbe cedar, which is split 

 into strips a quarter or a third of au inch wide and woven in a manner 

 simihir to the last, but much more firmly and with more carefully fin- 

 ished edges. Sometimes a portion of the strips are colored black and 

 woven in at regular distances, or else a border is made of the black strips. 

 These mats are usually about 4 feet by 7 or 8, and were formerly used 

 for sails, but are now used for house lining, matting, and to i)lace food 

 on at feasts. 



Small table mats are also manufactured, much more as an article of 

 commerce for the whites than for their own use. 



Baslicts. — These are of eleven kinds. They are woven and sewed, 

 and are made of grass. They usually hold from a pint to a half bushel 

 and are used for the following purposes: 



(1) Carrying water and juicy berries, and formerly for cooking by 

 placing heated stones in them. 



(2) A stiff basket, but not water-tight, about the same size as the last, 

 is made from nearly the same material, but not sewed. These are for 

 more delicate use. 



(3) Baskets made of cedar limbs split, the bark usually taken off, 

 are woven. They hold commonly from a half bushel to a bushel. Those 

 whose capacity is only a half bushel are ordinarily used for rough work, 

 such as carrying fish, potatoes, clams, muscles, and roots. The upper 

 loops are made also of cedar twigs twisted, and in these the carrying 

 strap is fastened. 



(4) The fancy basket is made of small grass and usually ornamented 

 by figures. It holds from 2 quarts to 3 pecks, and is generally used by 

 the women for storing clothes and fancy articles of the house. 



(5) A basket made of a bush split and shaved on both sides. The 

 pieces are a third or half an inch wide, and are woven together at right 

 angles. It is used more by the whites than the Indians as a clothes 

 basket, and seems a copy of some American baskets. 



(G) Baskets made of the cat- tail woven, and usually holding about a 

 bushel each. They are not durable and not much used, and chiefly for 

 storing their effects. 



(7) A large carrying basket somewhat angular and used in much the 

 same way. 



(8) Small baskets, usually holding not over 2 quarts; they are made of 

 small grass, obtained by the Makahs, and used by women for holding 

 sewing materials and similar small articles. 



(9) Baskets made of the inner bark of the cedar, split into strips a 

 half or third of au inch wide and woven. They are of various sizes, 

 holding fioiu 2 quarts to a bushel or more; used for storing purposes. 



(10) Baskets made of some kind of grass, holding about a bushel, 

 and really more of a sack than a basket ; used as the last. 



(11) Another similar to the last, but made of another kind of grass; 

 also used for storing purposes. 



