MISCELLANEOUS ETHNOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS ON INDIANS 

 INHABITING NEVADA, CALIFORNIA, AND ARIZONA. 



By W. J. Hoffman, M. D. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The materials and data for the accompanying remarks I collected 

 chiefly in Nevada, California, and Arizona, while attached to the United 

 States Geographical and Geological Survey west of the one hundredth 

 meridian in 1871-'72, as surgeon and naturalist. Since then, valuable 

 notes have been received, for which due credit has been given. Fre- 

 quent allusions to the Dakotas are made merely for the purpose of illus- 

 trating corresponding or differing customs. Observations were made 

 in the country of the latter during the years 1872-73. The tribes vis- 

 ited in 1871, are located and named as follows : 



1. Shoshonees, Pah-Utes, Nevada. 



2. Pah-Utes, California. 



3. Seviches, Hualpais, Mojaves, Apache Mojaves, Apache Coyotero, 

 Apache Arivapah, Pimas, Maricopas, Yumas, Arizona. 



The Shoshonees occupy the upper interior of Nevada, thence south- 

 ward, between the regions inhabited by small bands of various sub- 

 tribes of Pah-Utes, as far as Grapevine Springs in Armagosa Desert, 

 northwest of Spring Mountain, about latitude 115° 40' west, and latitude 

 37° north. Very little of the southern portion is fit for the Indians, for 

 raising corn, melons, &c,, and it is seldom any are found, excepting in 

 small ravines or valleys along the mountain sides, where a few fam- 

 ilies may be found in temporary camps. The Pah-Utes are cut up into 

 various bands, each under the direction of their chiefs, but entirely inde- 

 pendent of one another unless when they unite in defence against a com- 

 mon foe. The Seviches and Hualpais are but semi-civilized and are not 

 inclined to go to any regions occupied by the whites. They occupy 

 the western and northwestern edges of the Colorado Plateau. Im- 

 mediately south and southwest of the latter are the Apache Mojaves, a 

 semi-hostile wandering band. They are now drawing more toward Camp 

 Yerde as a centre. 



Little need to be said of the wandering hordes of Apaches who roam 

 over the interior and southeastern portions of Arizona. Their cruelty 

 to prisoners is unequalled anywhere. They practise at times the most 

 barbarous and inconceivable modes of torture upon their victims ; and in 

 this respect they are not unlike their former neighbors, the Mexicans.* 

 The Mojaves and the Yumas are both located upon the Colorado Eiver, 

 the latter below the mouth of the Gila, and the former about 300 miles 

 above. The Pimas, Maricopas, and several others are located at various 

 points along the Gila Eiver in the vicinity of ancient remains, a promi- 

 nent ruin of which is known as " la Casa Grande." These have been 

 described by various writers, and require no notice here. 



* Bernal Diaz. »fec., J. J. Lockhart, vol. ii, p. 89. London, 1844. 



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