Bos] FORMS AND PURPOSES OF BASKETS 199 
represent also old types which, however, are still in use, although 
bis at present rather rare. Typec is a modern development, approxi- 
mating the common Lillooet style, but with a larger, longer base 
and less flare of sides which lack the sharp corners so characteristic of 
the Lillooet. Most of the people consider sharp corners detrimental 
to durability. Typed represents a very large-mouthed type, which is 
said not to be very old. The most common modern baskets tend 
toward this form, with the flare becoming less in the upper half or 
third of the basket. There are at present all possible variations of 
these forms, with sharp or rounded corners, squared oval, purely 
oval and quite rectangular bottoms and mouths, or with bottoms of 
one of these forms and mouths of another. It seems that the in- 
dustry is passing through a transitional stage, at least as far as the 
forms of the products are concerned, so that it is difficult to draw 
hard and fast lines. Still, with all these burden shapes, there is a 
group similarity and a noticeably fairly regular proportion main- 
tained between the parts of any one basket. The shallower forms 
(fig. 26, h, i) are not common. They resemble the lower parts of 
burden baskets. 
The tsi.’a is the largest of the typical burden shapes. It is 
40 cm. high, or thereabouts, 60 cm. long at the mouth, and 45 cm. 
wide, with varying base measurements. Sometimes the end walls 
flare a little more than the sides. It is used for big loads, such as 
wood, roots, etc., and even for boiling soapberries by means of heated 
stones. It is carried on the back by means of tump lines and is 
strapped on the sides of the horses when making long journeys or 
when the load is too heavy for the people to transport. It is said 
that the tsi.’a was gradually made more and more elongated, when 
it was discovered that a modified shape did not roll so much when 
being carried. Nearly all of these baskets have elongated coiled 
bottoms. 
Sometimes the largest baskets were used for bathtubs, or wash- 
tubs, either in or out of doors. If used for bathing purposes, a hole 
was frequently dug in the ground into which the basket was placed, 
so that it might not tip over with its occupant. 
Some old people declare that the tsi.’a was specially designed for 
carrying burdens and that the present form is the acme of perfection. 
Its lower part is made narrow to fit the small of the back, and its 
upper part wide where it rests on the shoulders. One of the longer 
sides Tests firmly and flatly on the back, preventing the troublesome 
rolling of round forms. There is just enough flare so that the basket 
is about vertical when the bearer is bent forward under the load, and 
the slant of the end walls, which is a little more than that of the sides, 
is sufficient to prevent the carrying strap which passes around it from 
slipping up and bringing too much strain on the loops through which 
53666°—28——14 
