BOAS] STRUCTURE OF BASKETS 191 
the shape is oblong two measurements are taken. From time to 
time the lid.is fitted over the basket in order that a better idea may 
be gained as to how it is going to fit. Every effort is made to effect 
a neat joining, to the extent of enlarging or diminishing the size of 
the last coil, but if there are slight irregularities, especially on flat, 
projecting lids, they are not regarded seriously. 
Where there is an upright flange fastened to the inside of the 
basket rim, over which the lid fits, it is more essential that the 
measurements be exact, for the diameter of the coils which encircle 
the flange must be such that the outside edges do not project beyond 
those of the basket walls (fig. 17, f). 
The lids of fancy baskets are frequently made of combinations of 
loopwork and plain coil and are without knobs or pull loops, the 
interstices admitting the entrance of the 
fingers (fig. 18). Most of the women make 
all the types of lids mentioned, but there are AS (\ 
some who do not make any, or at least have CRES])// 
attempted them only occasionally. Some WY 
make only one kind or another. 
Tue Foor 
Among other comparatively recent ‘“im- YY y 
provements”’ is the foot, which seems to have ) 
come into use about 1800, and which has VY, 
been applied to fancy and storage baskets 
where it was thought necessary to keep the 
bottoms from contact with the floor. By Wi. 18—sketches of lids with 
being so protected, the bottom actually does por 
have a longer life and, according to prevailing ideas, the whole basket 
gains artistically by the addition of this little stand. It has never 
been adopted for large or medium-sized household baskets, nor for 
those used for carrying burdens, as it would merely be in the way 
and would soon become damaged. 
Unless it is composed of loopwork, as is frequently the case on 
fancy baskets, the foot consists of several plain coils added below 
the bottom, at its edge, which resemble the inception of a second 
basket, built on upside down (pls. 9, a; 11, a, 6; 12, ¢). The number of 
coils depends on the size of the basket and for medium shapes rarely 
exceeds two. Too many are considered as evidences of bad taste, for 
they apparently alter the standard proportions to which the people 
have so long been accustomed. Therefore, usually a four-coil foot 
is regarded as being extremely high. Small baskets with a high foot 
are characterized as foolish looking, but it is said that there can be 
