YARROW. ] CAVE BURIAL—UTES. 127 
mode of burial, a discussion would be out of place at this time, except 
as may incidentally relate to our own Indians, who, so far as can be 
ascertained, simply adopt caves as ready and convenient resting places 
for their deceased relatives and friends. 
In almost every State in the Union burial caves have been discovered, 
but as there is more or less of identity between them, a few illustrations 
will serve the purpose of calling the attention of observers to the subject. 
While in the Territory of Utah, in 1872, the writer discovered a nat- 
ural cave not far from the House Range of mountains, the entrance to 
which resémbled the shaft of a mine. In this the Gosi-Ute Indians had 
deposited their dead, surrounded with different articles, untilit was quite 
filled up; at least it so appeared from the cursory examination made, 
limited time preventing a careful exploration. In the fall of the same 
year another cave was heard of, from an Indian guide, near the Nevada 
border, in the same Territory, and an attempt made to explore it, which 
failed for reasons to be subsequently given. This Indian, a Gosi-Ute, 
who was questioned regarding the funeral ceremonies of his tribe, 
informed the writer that not far from the very spot where the party 
were encamped, was a large cave in which he had himself assisted 
in placing dead members of his tribe. He described it in detail and 
drew a rough diagram of its position and appearance within. He was 
asked if an entrance could be effected, and replied that he thought 
not, as some years previous his people had stopped up the narrow 
entrance to prevent game from seeking a refuge in its vast vaults, for 
he asserted that it was so large and extended so far under ground that 
no man knew its full extent. In consideration, however, of a very 
liberal bribe, after many refusals, he agreed to act as guide. A rough 
ride of over an hour and the desired spot was reached. It was found 
to be almost upon the apex of a small mountain apparently of volcanic 
origin, for the hole which was pointed out appeared to have been the 
vent of the crater. This entrance was irregularly circular in form and 
descended at an angle. As the Indian had stated, it was completely 
stopped up with large stones and roots of sage brush, and it was only 
after six hours of uninterrupted, faithful labor that the attempt to ex- 
plore was abandoned. The guide was asked if many bodies were therein, 
and replied “‘ Heaps, heaps,” moving the hands upwards as far they could 
be stretched. There is no reason to doubt the accuracy of the informa- 
tion received, as it was voluntarily imparted. 
In a communication received from Dr. A. J. McDonald, physician to 
the Los Pinos Indian Agency, Colorado, a description is given of crevice 
or rock-fissure burial, which follows : 
As soon as death takes place the event is at once announced by the medicine-man, 
and without loss of time the squaws are busily engaged in preparing the corpse for 
the grave. This does not take long; whatever articles of clothing may have been on 
the body at the time of death are not removed. The dead man’s limbs are straight- 
ened out, his weapons of war laid by his side, and his robes and blankets wrapped 
securely and snugly around him, and now everything is ready for burial. It is the 
