166 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 179 



the large traps were probably the most important. Seines, dip nets, 

 and spears saw considerable use, particularly in conjunction with 

 canoe fishing. Large quantities of fish were dried on racks and stored 

 for use during the winter. 



In the wmter, hunting was the only practical economic pursuit, but 

 it too was carried on throughout the rest of the year. Hunting par- 

 ties sought to drive the game, which was killed with the bow and 

 arrow. Deer were hunted for the most part, but antelope, elk, bear, 

 and rabbits were important food animals. 



The spring and summer months were important ones for gathering, 

 and large quantities of many kinds of plants were collected. Camas 

 was particularly favored, with bitterroot, serviceberry, chokeberry, 

 and sunflower seeds filling in. Prickly pears and pine nuts were gath- 

 ered in season. The implements used were digging sticks, baskets, 

 and carrying bags. During the winter when fishing and gathering 

 were impractical much time was spent in weaving baskets and manu- 

 facturing tools. 



Most of the houses were of two types : the summer mat house, which 

 was shallow and open to ventilation, and the winter lodge, which was 

 semisubterranean and more solidly built. Summer clothing was 

 rather scanty. The men wore a breechclout and little else, not even 

 sandals. The women usually wore a woven poncho or often only a 

 breechclout. Winter apparel included the addition of fur robes, 

 riioccasins, fur leggings, and blankets. Snowshoes were known and 

 used. Both men and women painted their faces and braided their 

 hair on occasion. 



A number of taboos were observed by the parents before a child 

 was born. Soon after birth the child was placed on a cradleboard 

 and seldom removed until he began to walk. The usual isolation 

 ceremony was observed by girls at puberty, while the boys performed 

 exercises such as swimming and running without any real ceremony. 

 After death the body was immediately removed from the house and 

 was buried as soon as possible. A talus slope was usually chosen for 

 burial. Guardian spirits were sought by all young boys and by some 

 of the girls. They were sent out at night at an early age in order to 

 meet their spirit. Both men and women could become shamans. 

 They were well paid for curing but had to perform certain public 

 duties such as conducting funerals. 



The Sanpoil had pipes, dice, the sweat lodge, and wooden mortars. 

 The usual household might contain 10 to 20 persons. 



ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH 



Two studies by Verne F. Kay (1936 and 1939) give the most com- 

 prehensive treatment of tribal distribution in the Plateau. These 

 are "Native Villages and Groupings of the Columbia Basin," and 



