272* THE SERI INDIANS [eth.axn.17 



earlier paragraphs (pp. 164-169) ; these symbols evidently represent an 

 exclusively maternal organization into clans consecrated to zoic tute- 

 laries. The tutelaries, or totems, together with tlie clan names and all 

 personal designations connected with the totems, are highly esoteric, 

 and were not ascertained save in the few cases mentioned above.' 



It should be observed that the identification of kindred by the alien 

 observer is difiBcuIt and somewhat uncertain, since the relationships 

 recognized in Seri socialry are not equivalent to those customai\v among 

 Caucasians. It was found especially difficult to identify the husband 

 of the jacal, partly because he is commonly incongruously younger (and 

 hence relatively smaller) than the mistress, and partly because of the 

 undignified position of outer guard into which he is forced by the tribal 

 etiquette. Moreover, his connection with the house is veiled by the 

 absence of authority over both children and domestic affairs, though 

 he exercises such authority freely (within the customary limits) in the 

 jacales of his female relatives. There is, indeed, some question as to 

 the clear recognition of paternity; certainly the females have no term 

 for "my father", i. e., the term is the same as that for "my mother", 

 ew(, though the males distinguish the maternal ancestor by a suttixed 

 syllable (e=:"my father"; eta or i'-tah=^^my mother"), which seems 

 to be a maguificative or an intensificative element. It is noteworthy 

 that the kinship terminology is strikingly meager; also that while the 

 records suggest various significant points, the material is hardly rich 

 enough to warrant complete synthesis of the consanguineal system. 



While the burden of the more permanent property pertains to the 

 women, there is a decided differentiation of labor with a concomitant 

 vesting of certain property in the warriors — the distinctively masculine 

 chattels comprising arrows, quivers, bows, turtle-harpoons, etc. There 

 are Indications that the balsas, too, are regarded as masculine prop- 

 erty. The impermanent possessions — water, food, etc — seem to be the 

 common property of men, women, and children, except in so far as the 

 right is regulated by regimentation; for the privileges of eating and 

 drinking are enjoyed in the order of seniority. In the reckoning of 

 seniority, the chief (who is comonly such in virtue of his position as 

 nominal elder brother of a prolific dame ) ranks first, and is followed by 

 other warriors in an order affected in an undetermined way by con- 

 jugal relations as well as by their prowess or sagacity ( the equivalents 

 of age iu primitive philosophy) down to an undetermined point — 

 apparently fixed by puberty; then comes the clanmother, followed by 

 her daughters in the order of nominal age, which is aft'ected by the 

 status of spouses and the number of living offspring; finally come 

 the children, practically in the order of their strength ( which also 

 is deemed an eciuivalent ot age), though the girls — especially those 



'The cbief object of the 1895 expedition was to pursue the inquiries concerning social organization, 

 totems, etc ; but, as mentioned elsewliere. this object was defeated by the trcuiblous liistory of the tribe 

 durinj; the earlier part of 1895, and the consequent revival and intensificatiuu of their animosity 

 toward aliens. 



