BOAs] COILED BASKETRY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 335 
BASKETRY OF THE TRIBES NEIGHBORS OF THE 
THOMPSON 
In order to obtain a clear idea of the setting of Thompson imbricated 
coiled basketry in that of the whole group who manufactured this 
ware, as well as to know more definitely of what the group consists, 
it is necessary to glance at the work of the other tribes. First it is 
essential to take up a little more specifically the work of the Lillooet 
(Salishan) and Chilcotin (Athapascan), whose burden baskets, aside 
from being their most common shapes, approach more nearly the 
Thompson forms than do the typical baskets of the other tribes. 
It will be remembered that frequent reference has been made to 
the technique and designs of both of these peoples, but for the sake 
Fic. 98.—Basket designs from Lytton 
of clearness a brief recapitulation of their outstanding peculiarities 
will be given. é; 
LitLooet BAaskETRY 
The Lillooet burden basket is more nearly square than that of the 
Thompson and probably its angularity was established at a much 
earlier date than that of the Thompson burden basket, if indeed it 
was not invented there. The corners are quite sharp, the walls per- 
fectly straight and usually much more flaring than those of the 
Thompson basket, while the comparatively smaller bases give the 
effect of much less stability. In many cases the coil structure aver- 
ages about the same as the Thompson; both tribes are excellent 
builders, whose work could not be improved upon. In a number of 
forms of baskets and sometimes in the burden types, however, the 
Lillooet use a broader, flatter coil which is sewed with coarser withes, 
a feature which the Thompson have not adopted. (Pl. 55, 6, d.) 
They also are accustomed to make a considerable amount of slat work, 
especially in baby carriers. While many of their baskets, particularly 
the long narrow trunk and storage baskets, of which they manufacture 
