288 TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



sary to irrigate for the production of crops, and it will be seen at 

 once that tlie crops must he small when the great elevation of the 

 country, from seven thousand (7,000) to nine thousand (9,000) feet 

 above the level of the sea, and the limited supply of water, are taken 

 into consideration. In some localities the Indians do without irriga- 

 tion, by planting to the depth often and twelve inches, which can be 

 done in some places without depriving the seed of air, on account of 

 the porosity of the soil. Maize, pumpkins, beans, and wheat are the 

 only productions. Wheat is not sown broadcast, but ten or fifteen, 

 seeds are planted in a " hill," after the manner of planting corn in 

 the United States. Maize is planted in the same manner, the ground, 

 in all cases, being prepared for planting by means of the hoe. The 

 only fruit cultivated is the peach, and this is only found in the canon 

 of Chelly and a few small canons adjoining. We have seen some fine 

 specimens of this fruit brought from that caiion, but it can seldom 

 be obtained ripe, as the only mode of transporting in vogue among 

 these people is by means of buckskin bags on horses. During August 

 and September hundreds of Indians are collected in the caiion just 

 referred to, living on corn and peaches until the crops are exhausted. 

 Nothing can be learned of the origin of these people from themselves. 

 At one time they say they came out of the ground ; and at another, 

 that they know nothing whatever of their origin; the latter, no doubt, 

 being the truth. We have been informed by a Navajo, who is the 

 most reliable man in the nation, that his tribe is very far from being 

 pure blood ; that his people are mixed blood with Utahs, Apaches, 

 Moquis, and Mexicans, and to such an extent that it is a matter of no 

 small difficulty to find a pure-blooded Navajo. On this account it is 

 difficult to give a description that would apply to the whole tribe. 

 Those of purest blood are of good size, nearly six feet in height, and 

 well proportioned ; cheek-bones high and prominent, nose straight 

 and well shaped ; hair long and black ; eyes black ; superciliary ridge 

 small ; teeth large, white, and regular, and frequently very hand- 

 some ; maxillary bones not larger than usual in men of such stature ; 

 feet small ; lips of moderate size ; head of medium size and well 

 shaped ; forehead not small but retreating. Others, those generally 

 of mixed blood, have low and very retreating foreheads ; occiput 

 largely developed ; cheek-bones high and very prominent ; maxillary 

 bones large and projecting in front ; nose and lips very much resem- 

 bling those of the negro ; about five feet two inches to five feet six 

 inches in height ; the tout ensemhle giving the idea of a man far in- 

 ferior to the Caucasian in the scale of existence, and approaching, in 

 appearance, the brute creation, with which they have much in common. 

 So little government do these people possess, that it would be 

 difficult to give it a name. Anarchy is the only form, if form it can 

 be called. They have no hereditary chief — none by election ; he who 

 now holds the nominal title of chief was appointed by the superinten- 

 dent of Indian affairs for the Territory, and the Indians had nothing 

 to do with it ; a silver medal and a cane is the insignia of office. 

 The authority of the chief is merely nominal, and against the wishes 

 of a number of his tribe he is powerless, and his authority melts 

 away. Every one who has a few horses and sheep is a "head man," 



