240* THE SERI INDIANS [eth.ans.jt 



fire-mark on the obverse. It was fouud in a recently abandoned jaoal 

 near Campo I^avidad. It is one of the three tuff specimens among those 

 collected, one of a dozen or two seen; perhaps 10 per cent of the 

 implements observed in Seriland are of this material, and it is signifi- 

 cant that this ratio is several times larger than the proportion of tHfif 

 pebbles to the entire paving of the beaches, so that the material seems 

 to be a preferred one. The preference was indeed discovered at Costa 

 Rica in IS'JA, where two or three of the more highly prized hupfs were 

 of this material, and where vague intimations were obtained that it is 

 especially favored for meal-making, doubtless by reason of the associa- 

 tion of color and texture — associations that mean much to the primitive 

 mind, perhaps in suggesting that the grinding is easier when done by 

 a soft implement. An economic reason for the preference is easily 

 found in the lower specific gravity, and hence the greater portability of 

 a hupf of ordinary size, of this material; but there is nothing to indi- 

 cate that tliis economic factor is weighed or even apperceived by the 

 Seri. 



A typical pebble bearing slight marks of use is illustrated in plate 

 XLV. It is of fine grained pinkish sandstone, probably tuffaceous, and 

 is fairly hard and quite tough; it weighs 1 pound !) ounces (0.71 kilo- 

 gram). It is wholly natural in form and surface save for slight batter- 

 ing or pecking on the face illustrated, and for a few stains of grease 

 and abundant marks of fire. It was found in a fire still burning (and 

 abandoned within a half hour, as indicated by other signs) two or three 

 miles inland from Punta (iranita on the Seri trail toward Aguaje 

 Parilla, whither it had evidently been carried from the coast. 



A fairly connnon material for both hupfs and ahsts is highly vesicular 

 basalt grading into pumice stoue, the nuiterial corresponding fairly with 

 a favorite metate material among the Mexicans. The rock was not cer- 

 tainly traced to its source, but seems to come from the northern part 

 of Sierra Kunkaak. A typical hupf of this material is shown iu plate 

 XLVi; it weighs 1 pound 13 ounces (0.82 kilogram). It is wholly natu- 

 ral in every respect save for slight grinding and subpolishing, with 

 some filling of interstices, on both faces. From the slight wear of this 

 specimen, together with the absence of battering, and from similar 

 features presented by others of the class, it maybe inferred that imple- 

 ments of this material are habitually used only for grinding — for which 

 purpose tiiey are admirably adapted. The specimen era])hasizes the 

 importance of the hu]if in Seri thought, for it was one of a small series 

 of mortuary sacrifices from a tomb at Pozo Escalante (ante, p. 290). 



Throughout the surveys of Seriland, constant search was made for 

 cutting implements of stone; and the nearest approach to success was 

 exemplified by the specimen illusti'ated in plate xlvii. It is of bluish- 

 gray volcanic rock (not specifically identified) of close texture and 

 decided toughness and hardness; it weighs 10 ounces (0.28 kilogram). 

 In greater part its form and surface are natural, but a projecting por- 



