ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT LXVII 



The observations among- the 8eri not only support the general 

 conclusion, but a232)ai'ently illumine an initial stage in the 

 development of decoration in which the nascent devices repre- 

 senting the major portion of the esthetic exercise of the people 

 are interwoven with the fundamental activities of social char- 

 acter. Accordingly, the tace-painting of the Seri matron 

 appears to represent a priscan stage in the conquest of emiron- 

 ment tlu'ough social mechanism; and the low culture stage 

 marked by the esthetic development accords with that marked 

 by the industrial development as manifested in stoneworking. 

 Another significant characteristic of the Seri Indians is a 

 peculiar and nearly unique mamage custom, which apparently 

 reflects, and at the same time tends cumulatively to strengthen, 

 animosity toward alien neighbors. Previous researches have 

 shown that intertribal mating, especially when prescribed by 

 the tribal rulers, affords the most effective means of integrating 

 tribes, strengthening demotic units of all grades, and promot- 

 ing the growth of peoples ; and the observably effective opera- 

 tion of this social device among various primitive peoples 

 suggests a still more primitive stage in which the device was 

 less effective or absent. Now, the custom of tlie Seri appears 

 to represent the lower stage of social mechanism toward which 

 the higher customs point as the initial one; hence,* although 

 perhaps intensified by conditions, the custom appears to com- 

 plete the series of stages in tribal development as defined by 

 that most effective of all simple social devices, marriage. It is 

 noteworthy that the social mechanism of the Seri is adapted 

 only to a restricted environment limited by alien neighbors, so 

 that the marital mechanism corresponds with the associated 

 industrial and esthetic and social de\aces in marking slight 

 advance in conquest of environment. 



Calendar History of the Kiowa Indians 



In some respects a typical plains people, the Kiowa Indians 

 are characterized by distinctive features revealed through Mr 

 Mooney's researches. Originally inhabiting a northerly and 

 mountainous ten'itory, they were driven to subsistence on the 

 products of the chase; becoming expert and vigorous hunts- 



