1898-99. | PRIMITIVE NATURE STUDY. 327 
use of fire, stone-working, pottery, the subjugation and domestication of 
plants and animals, the textile and related industries, travel and trans- 
portation, etc., reveal a wide and deep acquaintance with the character- 
istics of animate and inanimate nature, as may be read in Prof. O. T. 
Mason’s interesting volume on the “ Origins of Invention,” and the 
thorough-going researches of Prof. W. H. Holmes and Prof. A. C. Had- 
don on the “ Evolution of Art” and “Ornamentation.” The chief facts 
ean be read there ; a point or two of illustration must suffice at present. 
Of the 150 species of indigenous plants in the environment of the 
Moki Indians, of Arizona, Dr. Fewkes tells us they have become acquaint- 
ed with 144 as follows: “Agriculture and forage (not cultivated), II ; 
arts, 16; architecture, 4; domestic life, 10 ; dress and adornment, 6 ; folk- 
lore, 10; food, 40; medicine (folk and empirical), 29; religion, 18.” (x. 43.) 
The Moki national flower is the Castzleta linariefolia, called wupa- 
manst, “ great girl flower, because of its being worn by the young maidens 
of the tribe.” 
Concerning the Micmacs of Nova Scotia, Rev. S. T. Rand, who knew 
them passing well, observes (Leg. of Micm., p. 40): “ But they are also 
versed in other subjects. They have studied Botany from Nature’s 
volume. They know the names of all the trees and shrubs, and useful 
plants and roots in their country. They have studied their natures, 
habits and uses. They have killed, dissected and examined all the 
animals of North America, from the estugepegajit to the gulwakchech 
(from the buffalo to the mouse). They have, in like manner, examined 
the birds and the fish. They are, therefore, somewhat acquainted with 
natural history.” 
The exactness and range of knowledge of natural phenomena by 
primitive peoples, have long been moot subjects for discussion. 
Dr. Boas and other writers, who have treated of the ‘decorative art ” 
of the Indians of the northwest coast of America, have remarked the 
variety of symbolic expression and the wide range of natural objects 
covered, Prof. Haddon says of the art products of the South Pacific 
Islanders: ‘The diversity of animals is also noteworthy. Nearly every 
great group of animals is represented in native art, and often so faith- 
fully, that it is possible for the naturalist to give the animals their scien- 
tific names.” (Evol. of Art, p. 15.) 
In invention-origins, the world of nature lies very close indeed to man. 
Says Prof. Mason in the brilliant essay in which he tells what the earth, 
