16 BUKEAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 42 



HUPA 



Th :* Ilupa, 426 in number, occupy a narrow but beautiful and 

 fertile valley, 350 feet above sea level, in northern California. The 

 valley is divided throughout its entire length by the Trinity river, 

 and is surrounded by thickly wooded mountains of moderate height. 



This region is hot in summer, the temperature in the daytime often 

 exceeding 100° F. in the shade. In winter it is chilly and wet. The 

 evenings and nights are always cool. There are well defined dry and 

 rain}^ seasons. The latter season lasts from November to April, and 

 the precipitation is very frequent, as well as abundant. Occasionall}^ 

 there is a slight fall of snow, which, however, does not remain longer 

 than a few hours. The latter part of the winter is unpleasantly 

 cliilly, and favorable to the development of tonsilitis, rheumatic 

 disorders, and especially catarrhal affections of the respiratory tract. 



More than one-fourth of the Hupa show admixture with whites. 

 Among the pure-bloods there are individuals who came from rem- 

 nants of other tribes in the neighborhood. The Hupa are well 

 advanced toward civilization, particularly the younger element. 

 Almost all understand English, and many speak it. They live in 

 frame houses, bujlt like those of the whites, with plenty of windows, 

 and containing generally more than one room. The houses are 

 heated, as a rule, with modern ranges, only two of the old ones 

 having been found with open fireplaces. Earth floors are seen in 

 only a few of the oldest homes. In a majority of cases the houses 

 were found both well ventilated and fairly clean. Squalor prevailed 

 only in a few of the poor dwellings and in those occupied by the 

 aged, some of whom were too debilitated to be able to give proper 

 care to their rooms. The dwellings (pis. 13-17) are generally isolated, 

 though in a few localities in the valley they are grouped. This is 

 particularly true of the "Captain John's Camp" (pi. 17), occupied 

 by old people and by others who are poor; but in no case are the 

 dwellings at all crowded. Most of the houses are surrounded by 

 gardens and orchards, with fields or woods beyond. 



The Hupa dress like the whites, the only exception being the 

 basket cap, which is still worn on the head by the old women. Here 

 also was noticed, however, a tendency to wear more clothing than 

 the season required. 



By occupation the people are principally farmers, every family 

 possessing and utilizing an allotment of good land in the valley. 

 They farm according to civilized methods and meet with a fair 

 measure of success, raising mostly oats, but also quantities of brown 

 beans, potatoes, wheat, corn, and hay, for which there is a good 

 market at the school. The orchards furnish plenty of fruit, particu- 



