PALMER OX MAM'FACTrRE (»F I'oTTKKY. 83 



They were somewhat ageil, appioacJiiiig to four score years, and i)os- 

 sessed of many wrinkles. Their hair was cut off straight in front, just 

 above the eyes, the remainder reaciiing down to the shoulders, w'here it 

 too was evenly trimmed all round. On the head was a round, rather coni- 

 cal hat, made of split twigs, and water tight. Around the waist was sus- 

 pended the only article of dress, a skirt reaching to the knees, made of 

 strips of willow bark, intermingled with strips of old l)lankets. pants, and 

 various colored calicos obtained from the whites. This mixture of 

 various colored strips was fastened to a belt of the same materials. The 

 jewelry, worn by one consisted of a number of white pearl buttons, 

 strung and hung around her neck. The other wore a string of small sea 

 shells with a larger one in the center. Thus attired they were ready for 

 work. 



One of the women laid down a (piantity of clay, some paint, several 

 round Hat stones of different sizes, and two wooden paddles. The other 

 took her hat from her head, went to the well and tilled it with water. 

 They both squatted down on the bare ground, and commenced by .sprink- 

 ling water from the hat on the clay, using their hands to work the clay to 

 a consistency like that used in manufacturing bricks. After being told the 

 kinds and sizes of pots required, each selected one of the round flat 

 stones upon which to form the bottom of the contemplated pot. using 

 the stones according to the size of the article to be made. Pieces of clay 

 were taken and laid upon the stones. A wooden paddle was used by the 

 right hand to form the mud on the stones into the bottom of the future 

 pot. The ground near by was smoothed off, and these bottoms carefully 

 placed on it. The next thing was to build upon tliese bottoms. As 

 much clay was taken as was considered necessary, and rolled out in the 

 hand until it was of the same thickness, and long enough to go round the 

 bottom. This was then applied to tlie bottom and pinched together by 

 the thumb and fingers of the right hand as white ladies do pie crust. 

 The. flat stone was now- removed from the bottom, and held in the left 

 hand on the inside of the embryo pot. close against the attachment 

 of the addition to the bottom, while the paddle in the right hand patted 

 the outside, nearly obliterating all traces of tlie joint, while the stone 

 served the same purpose to the inside. 



As piece by piece the pots were built up, and the seams nearly obliter- 

 ated by the stone and paddle, the hands were dipped in water and 

 rubbed over the vessels, inside and out, until a smooth and even surface 

 was produced, thus making the union perfect, and hiding all appearance 

 of the pots having been built up. When the pots had been completed to 

 the desired height, the rim was formed by holding the round stone under 

 the last piece built on, and gently tapping as the stone was moved around 

 the edge. If it was to be ornamented by indentations, a stick was suitably 

 pointed, and the designs executed therewith. In the course of a few 

 hours seven pieces of pottery of various sizes, and designed for different 

 purposes, all even in thickness and smoothness of surface, were produced. 

 The great difficulty was in regulating the quantity of clay for each addi- 



fProc. D. A. N. .?. Vol. II.] 6 [March 1877.] 



