34 CHANNEL ISLANDS OF CALIFORNIA 



"The Men work handsome trays of wood, with firm inlays 

 of coral or of bone; and some vases of much capacity, closing 

 at the mouth, which appear to be made with a lathe — and 

 with this machine they would not come out better-hollowed 

 nor of more perfect form.* They give the whole a luster which 

 appears the finished handiwork of a skilled Artisan. The 

 large vessels which hold Water are of a very strong weave of 

 rushes \jimco] pitched within; and they give them the same 

 form as our tinigas [water jars]. 



"To eat the Seeds which they use [gastan] in place of Bread, 

 they toast them first in great trays, putting among the Seeds 

 some pebbles or small stones heated until red; then they move 

 and shake the tray so it may not burn; and getting the Seed 

 sufiiciently toasted, they grind it in mortars or almireces of 

 stone. [Almirez is a brass mortar.] Of these mortars there 

 are [some] of extraordinary size, as well wrought as if they 

 had had for the purpose the best steel tools [herramientas]. 

 The constancy, attention to trifles, and labor which they employ 

 in finishing these pieces are well worthy of admiration. [The 

 mortars are] so appreciated among themselves, that for those 

 who, dying, leave behind such handiworks, they are wont to 

 place them over the spot where they are buried, that the mem- 

 ory of their skill and application may not be lost. 



"They inter their dead. They have their Cemeteries within 

 the very Pueblo. The funerals of their Captains they make 

 with great pomp, and set up over their bodies some rods or 

 poles, extremely tall, from which they hang a variety of uten- 

 sils and chattels which were used by them. They Hkewise 

 put in the same place some great planks of Pine, with various 

 paintings and figures, in which, without doubt, they explain 

 the exploits and prowesses of the Personage. 



"In their Houses, the Married couples have their separate 

 beds on platforms elevated from the ground. Their mattresses 

 are some simple Petates or Mats of Rushes, and their pillows 

 are of the same Petates rolled up at the head [of the bed]. All 

 these beds are hung about with like Mats, which serve for 

 decency and protect from the cold. 



"The dexterity and skill of these Indians is surpassing in 



* Steatite or verde antique ollas of Santa Catalina. 



