MI BUREAU OF AMEKICAN ETHNOLOGY 



which has hocii mainly relied on in the idcntitication of the altar. 

 The .same symbols are depleted on these upright slats as are found on 

 the two altars of this society which I have studied. They are symbols 

 of lightning in the form of serpents, rain clouds, maize, various aiiuatic 

 animals, and one or more cult-heroes. 



The number, form, and arrangement of these slats with symbols are 

 likewise characteristic, resembling that of the Owakiilti. but differing 

 from those of other Hopi altars. 



The presence of women in the kiva and the prominence on the wall 

 of basket-trays or plaques likewise suggest a basket dance in which 

 women participate. The paucity of clothing as shown in the painting 

 is interesting, showing that formerly the Hopi women in their secret 

 rites divested themselves of most of their apparel. This custom still 

 survives among the male priests, to which sex, however, it is now 

 limited. 



There are probably live different Owakiilti altars inTusayan — one at 

 Orailii, one at Sichumovi, and three at the Middle mesa. If properly 

 identified as an Owakiilti altar this painting represents one of the three 

 latter, which would account for some differences between it and the 

 two former, of which I have good kodak photographs. 



Conversation regarding the public exhibition which occurred at the 

 time this altar was observed bj^ Major Powell has developed the fact 

 that it was a woman's basket dance, in which basket-plaques are thrown 

 among the spectators, who struggle for their possession. There are 

 two of these public dances, called the Lalakonti and the Owakiilti, 

 which closely resemble each other. The altar of the former is too widely 

 aberrant from the painting to be considered. The plate does not 

 represent a Lalakonti altar and there thus remains by elimination only 

 the identiffcation indicated above. 



A peculiar and unique interest is attached to this representation, as 

 it was the first painting or ffgure of a Hopi altar made by a white man. 

 From it dates an ever increasing interest of the objective symbolism 

 of the Hopi, and a scientific treatment of the study of tlieir ceremo- 

 nials. 



The AVild Rice Gatherers of the Upper Lakes 



Contrary to a superficial but widespread notion, the Ameri- 

 can aboriiiines subsisted in large part on vegetal products, 

 man}' of tlie tribes being essentially agricultural. Even the 

 nonagricultural tribes made considerable use of Avikl grains, 

 fi-uits, berries, roots, and otlier plant products; and these were 

 often systematically prepared as comestibles either separately 

 or in conjunction with meats, fish, etc. The first in impor- 

 tance among aboriginal plant foods was maize, or corn, a ]ilant 



