282 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



the number of Indians in California, but a rapid diminution then 

 began; partly through the unjustifiable persecution by the strong- 

 er, better armed, aggressive gold-seekers, many of whom cared 

 nothing for the moral rights of the Indians; partly through the 

 introduction of intoxicating liquors ; but more through the effects 

 of epidemic and other diseases which came with the whites. Now 

 some of the smaller tribes are practically extinct, but under more 

 wholesome conditions the younger generation seems to be nearly 

 holding its own or slowly increasing in a few places. The Cali- 

 fornia Indians seemed to lack the power of organization and the 

 faculty of invention, hence they made little progress toward civili- 

 zation until the whites came and took the lead. Their recent pro- 

 gress shows that they are capable of considerable education. 



The name Amerind has been proposed for the native races 

 of America. It is composed of the first syllables of America and 

 Indian. 



D 



