i I mi IN.;.] 



EVOLUTION OF FORMS. 



503 



olla itself. The older or round-bottomed jars were balanced ou the bead 

 in carrying, by means of a wicker-work ring, a kind of ''milk-maid's 

 boss." (See Fig. 537.) These annular mats are still found among the 

 ruins and cave-deposits, and continue in use with the modern Pueblos for 



Fig. 537. — Annular mat of wicker, or '* milkmaid's boss." 



supporting convex bottom cooking pots on the floor as well as for facili- 

 tating the balancing of large food-bowls on the head. (See Fig. 5.38.) 

 Obviously the latter dishes have never been hollowed as the ollas have 

 been, because, since they were used as eating-bowls, the food could be 

 removed from a plain bottom more easily than from a convex surface, 

 which would result from the hollowing underneath. Supposing that a 



Fig. 53S. — Use of annular mat illustrated. 



water jar chanced to be modeled in one of the convex-bottom bread- 

 baskets (see Fig. 530), it would become necessary, on account of the thick- 

 ness of these wicker bowls, to remove the form from the mold before it 

 dried. By absorption it would dry so rapidly that it would crack, espe- 

 cially in contracting against the convexity in the center of the basket- 

 bottom. (See Fig. 539, a.) In order that this form might be supported 

 in an upright position until dry, it would naturally be placed ou one of 

 the wicker- rings. Moreover, that the bottom might not sink down or fall 

 out, a wad of some soft substance would be placed within the riug. (See 

 Fig 540, a.) As a consequence the weight of the plastic vessel would 

 press the still soft bottom against the central wad, (Fig. 540, a) and the 



