544 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. axn. 23 



inches in height. Near this heap is a quantit}' of root about 3 inches 

 in diameter. On the north side of the room, and more to the east, 

 is a quantit}^ of wild sage and a bowl containing the flower tips of 

 the plant. Groups of men are near each collection of plants and at 

 once begin work. The plants in the southwest end are broken into 

 bits and deposited in large bowls together with the squash blossoms. 

 The younger plants are also separated and put into bowls, the roots 

 are prepared and cut into small pieces and deposited in bowls, and the 

 leaves are removed from the stems of the sage and also placed in 

 bowls. One plant is sepai'ated into small clusters and placed in ])owls 

 with a small quantit}' of water that it ma}' remain fresh. The work is 

 industriously pushed forward, and by 2 o'clock all the medicine is 

 arranged and the floor is in order. Six very old grinding stones or 

 mills, much worn from use, are placed on the floor on the north side 

 not far from the altar, upon skins and cloths, with just space enough 

 between the mills and the ledge for the grinders to kneel. The grind- 

 ing begins. The medicine of all the fraternities is ground principally 

 by invited guests, who also take part in the dancing, the girls and 

 women relieving one another. 



As the grinders and dancers arrive they take seats on the north 

 ledge, near the east end of the room. Other women also sit in this 

 locality, and several sit near the choir. When all are present the 

 a'kwamosi, who carries a meal basket in his left hand, gives a pinch 

 of meal to each female, and prays about a minute over each. The 

 meal is received in the left hand, but it is changed to the right when 

 the women go to the altar to pray and sprinkle the meal. Six grind- 

 ers are now dressed by the warrior and another meml)er of the frater- 

 nit}'. Only the pi'toni and the moccasins are removed. The usual 

 woven dress is covered with a rai'ha fastened on the right shoulder 

 and passing under the left arm, and a white cotton fringed sash is worn 

 tied at the back. The hair is hanging and tied loosely with a red 

 garter at the nape of the neck; a white flufl'y eagle plume is attached 

 to the fore part of the head. The neck and arms are bare, and silver 

 beads, bangles, and rings are worn, besides the elaborate necklaces of 

 ko'hakwa, turquoise, and coral. Each girl is led separately to the mill 

 by the a'kwamosi, who carries an eagle-wing plume in each hand, the 

 girl holding the tips of the plumes. She passes behind the mills, while 

 the a'kwamosi walks before them. The}' now face one another, the 

 girl still holding the plumes. The first girl is led to the most western 

 mill, the others follow in succession. After each girl is in position 

 the a'kwamosi places a hand on each shoulder and motions her to the 

 six regions, carrying the head forward and back for the Zenith and 

 the Nadir. An aged woman and a man take seats before the mills. 

 Each has a large bowl of the mixed plants to the right; there are also 

 two small bowls containing bits of turquoise and ko'hakwa (white ^hell 



