THE SEMINOLE INDIANS. II 



large wooden vessel or trough, where it is ground and pounded into 

 a powder ; this powder is then carefully washed, and after repeated 

 washing becomes very white and dean. If 

 it is not entirely free from dirt upon being 

 wet it assumes a pale pinkish color, but if 

 thoroughly cleansed it remains perfectly ^„^ sofkee-spoon. 

 white. This is called " coontie " by the 



Indians, and is prepared much in the same manner as we use 

 cornstarch or arrowroot. It is sometimes mixed with wheat flour 

 and made into cakes, which when fried are ver}' palatable. The 

 seeds of the kumpty plant are contained in a cone having the 

 general appearance of a pine cone about to sprout. They resem- 

 ble kernels of corn, but are larger and flatter and of an orange-red 

 color. 



The Indian does little in the way of farming. He clears small 

 hummocks and plants corn, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and some- 

 times raises a little maize ; in some of the camps he has bananas 

 growing and a few orange or lemon trees, but, as a rule, he raises 

 barely enough to supply himself and family a part of the year. 



I have been unable to learn anything definite of the Indian laws 

 regarding punishment of crime. That they do have such laws is 

 known. Years ago Old Charlie was condemned to have the upper 

 portion of his ears cut off and was banished for one year from the 

 tribe under penalty of death if he returned. He is one of the nicest 

 old Indians of the lot, but lost his ears for "talking too much," as 

 the Indians say. 



Upon the death of an Indian the body is clothed in a new shirt, 

 and usually a handkerchief is tied around the neck and a new turban 

 put about the head. Sometimes the face is painted, usually with a 

 round spot on each cheek. A piece of burnt wood is placed in the 

 left hand and a bow and one arrow is usually buried with him. 

 When the place for burial is selected the ground is prepared in the 

 following manner : A floor of palmetto logs is built some seven feet 

 long by three feet wide, over which a roof of palmetto leaves is con- 

 structed. The body is placed in this small house, the feet, it is 



