12r) THE PIMA INDIANS [eth. ann. 26 



from pin'tions oi the tree on wliich black gum has ih'ieil into hard 

 scales. After Ixiiling, tliis dye is in the form of a very tliin li(|uid 

 which is so pale that it is scarcely distinguishal)le on the dark clay, 

 Init after the vessel has been given a slight burning the pattern 

 appears in deep black. 



Implements 



As the new vessel is built up the outside is struck with a paddle 

 (pi. XVII, &),and the inside is supported by a flat circular stone about 

 10 cm. in diameter. A smaller stone is used to polish the outer 

 surface. Long, smooth, fuiger-shaped stones are used in polishing 

 the necks of vessels or in places where there are sharp curves. 



Method 



The fictile ware of the Pimas is made by coiling. The clay is first 

 thoroughly dried , a condition that is easily and ((uickly brought about 

 by spreading it on blankets in the sun. It is then sifted to remove the 

 larger particles of stone. It is next mixed with water and kneaded 

 a few minutes, formed into lumps the size of the fist, and laid aside 

 to "ripen" over night. The base of the new vessel is begun by 

 spreading a layer of clay over the bottom of an old vessel of suitable 

 size and smoothing it down with the paddle until it extends out several 

 centimeters from the center (see pi. xvii, a, where the vessel shown 

 in the jiotter's lap has just been taken from the olla over which it 

 was molded). The new bottom is alloweil to dry an hour m the 

 sun before it is removed and the process of coiling begun. Dipping 

 the fingers in water, the operator moistens the edges of the new ves- 

 sel, which has dried enough to retain its shape. Then taking one of 

 the prepared balls of clay she rapidly rolls it between the palms 

 uJitil it is lengthened into a cylinder about 20 cm. long, wliich is 

 laid on the margm of the vessel ami piuchetl into shape. One or 

 perhaps two more rolls are laid on to comjjlete the circuit and then 

 the paddle is applied with the right hand in (juick taps to the out- 

 side while the circular stone is held on the inside with the left (pi. 

 xvii, h). The handle of the paddle is held downward so that the trans- 

 verse concavity of the instriunent is adapted to the horizontal con- 

 vexity of the growing vessel, wluch is helil in the lap and the coils 

 applied only so fast as they dry sufficiently to cause it to hold its 

 shape. For this reason it is customary for a potter to model three 

 or four vessels at the same time so there need be no delay l)y waiting 

 for the last layer to dry. As each coil is fuiished it is placed where 

 the sun can shine upon it and the work progresses much faster than it 

 could in a less arid climate. As soon as the vessel has been built up 

 a little way so there is room for the paddle to be used above the j)laiie 



