304 THE ZUNT INDIANS [kth. ann. 23 



or grinding, and ,sit or kneel over heated sand that i.s spread tliickly 

 on the floor. Their robes are caught up around their waists and 

 blankets are fastened around their shoulders, falling loosel}- to the 

 floor, covering all the sand. This custom has been largely discon- 

 tinued since the writer secured the confidence of the women. Extreme 

 delicacy is observed b}" the women at this period. A heated stone is 

 worn in the belt and a hot juniper tea is frequently drunk. The menses 

 usually continue four days, but in some cases they cease at the expira- 

 tion of the second or third day. The Zufii women are not segregated 

 during this period. It is claimed that a certain root tea, which is 

 drunk hot, will permanently suspend the menses at the expiration of 

 four months. For two months the flow is said to be copious and of a 

 very dark color; in the third month the color is normal, and in the 

 fourth month the discharge is ahnost coloi'less. This root is kept by 

 certain old medicine men and women, who carefully guard the secret, 

 that the young women ma}' not procure the medicine and thereby ren- 

 der themselves incapable of becoming mothers. Specimens of the 

 root referred to were collected during the summer of 190-i and are now 

 with the remainder of the plant collection in the National Museum. 



MARRIAGE CUSTOMS 



The marriage ceremony of the Zunis is very simple. When a man 

 is pleased with a girl, he manages to meet her on the road and tell her 

 of his admiration, asking permission to go to her house. If she favors 

 the suitor, she replies: ''Wait until I speak to my father and mother." 

 Another daj' he meets the girl and inquires what the father and mother 

 have said, and if the parents are willing, he accompanies the girl to 

 her home. The mother asks him to be seated and directs her daughter 

 to bring food and place it on the floor before the guest. Should the 

 girl hesitate either from lack of interest in the man or from love of 

 coquefay (for the Zuni maidens are all coquettes), she is admonished 

 by one or both of her parents. After bringing the repast the girl 

 takes her seat facing the visitor. While he eats, the parents sit on one 

 side and talk to the man about the duties of a husband to a wife. 

 AVhen the repast is finished, the father calls the man to him, the wife 

 sitting by the husband's side; the girl remains on the other side of the 

 room. The father says: " You are about to marry my daughter. You 

 nmst work hard; you must watch the sheep and help to cut the wood 

 and plant grain and cut it.'' The mother tells him he is to be kind 

 and good to his wife. He remains at the house five nights, sleeping 

 alone outside the general living room, working for the family during 

 the day. The sixth morning he goes to his parents' house. The}^ 

 inquire where he has been, and when he tells them, they ask if the 

 girl's parents are willing. If they themselves are pleased with the 

 match, they sa}^ ' ' It is well. '" When the groom returns from his visit to 



