297 



wear away, formiug curved sides deei^ening towards the axes of the 

 trough s. 



As to why thn whole texture of the rock shoiild become concretionary 

 and the wliole outside surface peel off inoae large scale, thick enough to 

 preserve this wall like appearance, I am not know prepared to express 

 an opinion, but hope to be able to submit some hypothesis after further 

 stu'iy. 



I have observed a similar though not entirely identical phenomenon 

 near the Real Dolores in New Mexico, where an apparently plutonic rock 

 was divided on the exterior in a similar manner, but in this case the 

 whole mass was concretionary. 



• It appears to open an entirely new question as to whether thick plates 

 of igneous rocks (and a fortiori sandstones, &c.,) may not be weathered 

 into concretions. 



PAH-UTE CREMATION. 



{Read before the American Philosophical Society, Dec. itJi^ 1874) 



Reading, Penna., Nov. 25th, 1874 

 Dr. J. L. LeConte, 



Bear Sir: —In the last issue of the "Popular Science Monthly," I 

 noticed an editorial alluding to your paper upon the subject of " Crema- 

 tion," as a custom of one of the tribes of Indians inhabiting California. 



The same custom prevails amongst that sub-tribe of Pah-Utes, known 

 as the Cottonwood, Corn Creek, Spring Mountain and Pah-rimp Spring 

 Indians. The varying local names ai-e due only to the locality they in- 

 habit, and they are one and the same tribe in reality. While attached to 

 Lt. Wheeler's Expedition of 1871-2, I had ample opportunity to investi- 

 gate anything pertaining to scientific subjects, and I took special care to 

 collect all facts relating to the habits, customs, and superstitions of the 

 Indian tribes through whose territory we passed. 



The tract of country alluded to, as occupied by this sub-tribe of Pah- 

 Utes, lies between 115° and IIS^SS' west longitude, and latitude north 

 35° and 36°. Spring Mountain being their stronghold, and is losated 

 just north of the "old Spanish Trail." By means of an interpreter, I 

 obtained the following information. Upon the death of one of these 

 Indians, a pile of wood is prepared in the immediate vicinity ; this is so 

 arranged as to form a rectangle, to the heighth of from two to three feet. 

 The corpse is laid upon this, when the fire is started, after which wood 

 is continually thrown across the pile until the body is reduced as much 

 as possible. Mesquite, pine and cedar is usually employed, and forms 

 excellent coals and an intense heat. All the remaining property, — as 

 wearing apparel, arms, blankets, dogs and horse, (if the deceased pos- 

 sessed any) — is also burnt. These last named valuables, I have no doubt, 



A, p. S.^VOL. XIV. 2l 



