Explanation of Chitimacha Basketry — Plate 24 



( N. M. Nos. 253493, 253490) 



The irregular design in a is explained by Mrs. Bradford as from a word signify- 

 ing "up, across, and down," but to the writer it was given as another example 

 of the "broken plait," though it would seem better entitled to the name tcVantc- 

 apcto'xn, "worm-track broken," than plate 22, g, to which that designation is actu- 

 ally given, the worm-track, as in figure b, being distinguished by dots scattered along 

 the plait. The lines on the cover and near the bottom of basket b are worm-tracks 

 {tcVcmic); the more complicated design is called nactcua'-akV, "alligator entrails." 



