btbVenson.) clays used IN MANTJFACTURE OF POTTERY. 331 



character as those of which the other is made; the paste is prepared in 

 the same way, so that wheu the vessels are formed and ready for the 

 kiln they are of the color of the original clay. In other words, the 

 change to the black color is not produced in making the paste or in 

 moulding or forming the vessel, but during the process of baking. The 

 manner of .forming the vessel is the same as with the western tribes; 

 and wheu formed it is dried in the sun in the same way ; after this a 

 solution of very fine ochre-colored clay is applied to the outside and in- 

 side near the top, or to such parts of the surface as are to be polished. 

 While this solution thus applied is still moist, the process of polishing 

 begins by rubbing the parts thus washed with smooth, fine-grained 

 stones until quite dry and glossy. The parts thus rubbed still retain 

 the original red color of the clay. The vessels are again placed in the 

 sun and allowed to become thoroughly dry, when they are ready for 

 baking. It is in this part of the process that the great differences in color 

 are produced. The vessels are placed together in a heap on a level 

 spot of ground and carefully covered over with coarsely broken dried 

 manure obtained from the corrals. The kiln thus formed is then ignited 

 at several points. 



It is proper to add here that the clays used by the Santa Clara Indians 

 are of a brick-red color, containing an admixture of very fine sand, 

 wTiich, no doubt, prevents cracking in burning, and hence dispenses with 

 the necessity of using lava or pottery fragments, as is the custom of the 

 Indians of the western pueblos. The burning is carried on until a suffi- 

 cient degree of heat is obtained properly to bake the vessels, which still 

 retain their original red brick color. At this juncture such of the ves- 

 sels as it is desired have remain in that condition are removed from 

 the fire and allowed to cool, when they are ready for use. Those which 

 the artists intend to color black are allowed to remain and another ap- 

 plication of fuel, finely pulverized, is made, completely covering and 

 smothering the fire. This produces a dense, dark smoke, a portion of 

 which is absorbed by the baking vessels and gives them the desired 

 black color. It is in this manner that the black ware of these eastern 

 pueblos is produced. 



It is said that among the Cochiti, Santa Clara, and some other Pueblos 

 a vegetable matter is employed to produce some of their decorative de- 

 signs; this, however, I was unable to verify, though some of the In- 

 dians assured me of the fact, and furnished me a bunch of the plant, 

 which Dr. Vasey, of the Agricultural Department, found to be Gleome 

 integrifolia, a plant common throughout the Western Territories. A 

 few specimens of the ware, some burnt and some unbumt, said to be 

 decorated with the oil or juice of this plant were secured. 



As heretofore remarked, notwithstanding the variety in ornamenta- 

 tion, there are really but few different figures, and these are mostly quite 

 simple. Any one interested in the study of Indian art can find in the 



