8TEVF.XS0X.] ARTICLES OF STONE. 321 



rock, either ferruginous saudstoue or gritty clays. For a more complete 

 kuo^vle(lge of these stone implemeuts we must depeudon a comparative 

 study of large collections from different localities, and such iuformation 

 as the circumstances attending their discovery may impart, rather than 

 upon their present condition or the uses for which they are now em- 

 ployed. 



Metates or grain-grinders, pestles and rubbing stones belong to the 

 milling industry among the Indians. The metates are generally quite 

 large and heavy, and could not well be transported with the limited means 

 at the command of Indians. They are therefore well adapted to the uses 

 of village Indians, who remain jiermaneutly in a place and prosecute agri- 

 cultural pursuits. They are generally of rectangular shape, and from 10 

 to 20 inches in length by G to 12 in width, and are composed of various 

 kinds of rock, the harder, coarse grained kinds being preferable, though 

 in some instances sandstone is em[)loyed ; the most desirable stone is 

 porous lava. These stones are sometimes carried with families of the 

 Pueblos moving short distances to the valleys of streams in which they 

 have farms in cultivation. In the permanent villages they are arranged 

 in small rectangular bins (see Fig. 508), each about 20 inches wide and 

 deep, the whole series ranging from 5 to 10 feet in length, according to 

 the number of bins or divisions. The walls are usually of sandstone. 

 In each compartment one of these metates or grinding stones is firmly 

 set at a jiroper angle to make it convenient to the kneeling female grinder. 

 In this arrangement of the slabs those of different degrees of texture 

 are so placed as to produce an increased degree of fineness to the meal or 

 flour as it is passed from one to the other. But a small number of these 

 slabs were collected on account of their great weight. Accompanying 

 these metates are long, slim, flat stones, which are rubbed up and down 

 the slabs, thus crushing the grain. These baud-stones are worn longitudi- 

 nally into various shapes ; some have two flat sides, while the third side 

 reaiains oval. The same variety exists in regard to the texture of these 

 rubbing-stones, as in the concave grinders. 



The pueblo of Zuui, ft-om which the most important portion of the 

 collection was obtained, is situated in New Mexico, near the western 

 border, about two hundred miles southwest from Santa F^. 



At the time of Goronado's visit to this country the pueblo was located 

 at what is now known as '' Old Zuiii," on the summit of a high mesa. 

 The modern ZuHi is situated upon a knoll in the valley of the Zuiii 

 River, about two miles from the site of the old town. Certain writers 

 have regarded Zufii, or rather "Old Zuni," as one of the " Seven Cities 

 of Cibola." The evidences found at and around both the old and present 

 Zuiii are certainly not sufScient to warrant this view, and further and 

 more careful investigations are necessary. 



Zuni, although lying on the line of travel of military expeditions, 

 emigrant trains, and trade between the Pacific coast and the Rio Grande, 

 the foreigners visiting them have seldom remained long in their village; 

 21 E 



