FROM CALIFORNIA. 11 



The above information furnished by four Indians, independently of 

 one another, every one of whom had either seen the implement in use, 

 or had used it, together with the collateral evidence to be derived from 

 a study of the specimens, would seem to be satisfactory proof of the 

 employment of many of these perforated stones in this part of Cali- 

 lornia as weights to digging sticks. 



As roots were not only used largely for food by these tribes, but 

 were bartered with other Indians both on the islands and inland, a 

 great number of digging weights must have been employed in the 

 numerous villages. Accordingly, in the use of perforated stones as 

 digging weights, I am inclined to believe we have their most common 

 and most important function, at least in this part of California. 



Digging sticks in various parts of the icorld. — The use of pointed sticks 

 for digging roots has by no means been confined to the Indians of Cali- 

 fornia. These sticks have been observed in actual use among many 

 uncivilized peoples, though not always artificially weighted. 



Lewis and Clarke speak of the use of this implement among the 

 Clatsop, one of the Chinook tribes. They say: l 



Tho instrument with which they dig up roots is a strong stick, about three feet 

 and a half long, sharpened and a little curved at the lower end, while the upper is 

 inserted, into a handle, standing transversely, and made of part of an elk or buck's 

 horn. 



The transverse bar on the end of the handle is an evident improve- 

 ment on the straight stick, since it can be pressed against the breast 

 and tho stick driven into the grouud with ease. 



The digging stick has also been observed in use among the Sionx by 

 S. II. Iviggs, J. Owen Dorsey, and others. 



Stephen Powers, 3 writing of the Ynki of California, among whom the 

 digging stick is employed to obtain worms for sonp and for other pur- 

 poses, speaks of a woman as "armed with her 'woman-stick,' the badge 

 of her sex, which is a pole about six feet long and one and a half inches 

 thick, sharpened and fire hardened at one end." Again, speaking of the 

 Modok, he says, p. 25G: "With a small stick, fire hardened at the end, 

 a squaw will root out a half bushel or more [of kais roots] in a day." 



Numerous digging sticks, or, more properly, spades, for they are used 

 more to plant corn than to dig roots, are in the National Museum from 

 Zuni. The Znfii have hit upon a device similar to that invented by t lie- 

 Chinook. The spade is a natural branch about three feet long, pointed 

 and flattened, and having a projecting stump at a convenient distance 

 down, so that the foot can be employed to press it into the earth. 



'History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clarke. 

 Allen edition. Vol. II, p. 1154. Harper and Brothers, 1842. 

 2 Contributions to North American Ethnology, Vol. HI, p. L5 n 



