THE SEMIX()L]=; INDIANS. II 



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

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

 washing beeonies very white and clean. It 

 it is not entirelv free from dirt upon being 

 wet it assumes a jiale pinkish color, but if 

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



white. Tliis is called " coontie " by the 



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

 cornstarch or arrowroot. It is sometimes mixed with wheat Hour 

 and made into cakes, which when fried are very palatable. The 

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

 o-eneral appearance of a pine cone about to si')rout. 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. lie 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 an^^thing 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. Pie is one of the nicest 

 old Inchans 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 w^ith 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 wdiich a roof of palmetto leaves is con- 

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



