14 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 76 



becomes dry except for such water as seeps through from the earth 

 immediately above. Sometimes, too, the point of discharge is at or 

 perhaps somewhat below the level of a stream into which it passes ; 

 in the Ozarks are numerous very large springs or fountains which 

 by inverted siphon or artesian action are forced up from subter- 

 ranean streams lying at a greater depth. 



Few large caverns have the floor entirely dry, even when they 

 are well above the bottom of the valley. Deposits in the front por- 

 tion may be dry, perhaps dusty on the surface; but toward the 

 interior moisture usuall}^ accumulates until they are muddy or until 

 the water stands in pools or puddles. When this is the case there 

 is sometimes a little stream making its way to the front through a 

 channel which it has cut ; or seepage may dampen, possibly saturate, 

 the lowermost portions of the otherwise dry earth. These details 

 are controlled principally by the direction and degree of slopes 

 and by side openings which allow more or less of the water to escape 

 at some part of its journey. 



When a cavern is fairly lighted and has a dry floor, whether of 

 rock or earth, it forms an excellent abode for a small community 

 unable or not disposed to construct shelters more comfortable or 

 convenient; and there is abundant evidence that many caves in the 

 Ozarks were utilized as habitations by the aborigines. It must be 

 remembered, however, that in the centuries which have elapsed sinr^e 

 hunters or permanent occupants first entered this region, many super- 

 ficial changes have taken place, not only about the entrances but 

 within the caverns as well. Very probably these alterations have 

 converted caves once occupied into places which at present are quite 

 unfit for such purposes. Talus has accumulated in front of the open- 

 ings or partially filled the front chambers; it may well be the case 

 that this conceals much refuse. Caves which, from similar deposits, 

 are now difficult to enter and dark to the doorway, may have been 

 open and convenient. Furthermore, caves with wet or muddy bot- 

 toms may owe such condition to causes which have recently come 

 into operation; or if they always contained more or less water, the 

 primitive dwellers could in many cases have overcome such disad- 

 vantages by digging drains which have since become choked and 

 obliterated. Very small cavities, such as deep rock-shelters; or 

 caverns with a great thickness of earth on the floors, now showing 

 no trace of remains; or those with entrances so small that it is neces- 

 sary to crawl through — any of these, if cleared out to the bottoms, 

 might disclose material dating back to very early times. 



It might seem that the air in a cave constantly occupied -\^'ould 

 grow stale and close ; while smoke from the fires would in time be- 

 come annoying. But Indians used for fuel only dry wood and bark, 

 the smoke from which would be a negligible factor. The varying 



