aoFFjiAx] ETHNOGEAPHIC OBSERVATIONS. 467 



this purpose, the liquor is poured off into other vessels, where it is kept 

 until fermentation sets in, when they call together the tribe or band and 

 have a dance, which results in a drunken and obscene carousal. 



The Pimos, Maricopas, and others living on the Gila Eiver prepare 

 a similar drink from the fruit of the Cereus giganteus and several other 

 {Jaeti. Horse or mule flesh is always a desirable " titbit " if obtainable. 



3. Fire. 



At Belmont, Nevada, I found a small rancheria of Shoshonees, who 

 informed me that previous to the development of the mines or the ad- 

 vent of the whites they were obliged to keep on hand a supplj^ of dry 

 wood and pine knots for the purpose of igniting and transporting fire, 

 as the art of making it was unknown to them. This appeared remark- 

 able, and I made inquiry among those of the settlers who had been 

 there longest. The Canfield Brothers, who were superintendents of the 

 iSTew York Mining Company, verified the statement so far that they al- 

 ways saw the Indians keeping up perpetual camp-fires, and when on a 

 short march would transport burning brands, which they guarded with 

 the most jealous care. Women were usually detailed for this duty. 



Captain Sitgreaves* says: "The custom still prevails among them 

 {MojavesJ of carrying a firebrand in the hand in cold weather, which is 

 mentioned in the account of Coronado's expedition in 1540, and induced 

 those discoverers to give to the river the name of Rio del Tizon." Whether 

 this custom is still practiced I am unable to say. The Apaches near 

 Tucson never move about at night unless armed with a brand or torch. 

 This is induced both through fear and superstition. 



4. Utensils and weapons. 



But few articles are manufactured of stone at the present day by any 

 of the tribes under consideration, as they have, to a greater or lesser 

 extent, availed themselves of the advantages offered by enterprising 

 suttlers and traders. Pipes made at Yankton and Sioux City, Dak., of 

 the red pipe-stone (catlinite) have found their way to Nevada through 

 these channels and through the Crows, with whom the Shoshonees are 

 upon friendly terms. Most of the Indians obtain the common "plug" 

 tobacco, which they cut up and mix with the inner bark of the Red 

 Osier. In the southern region of Nevada I have seen the dried leaves 

 of Nicotiana attenuata (Torr.) used in the pipe. The Seviches, when they 

 can obtain i^aper, are fond of making cigarettes, a custom learned from 

 the Indians who come in contact with the Mexicans. 



Most of the Pah-Utes grind their corn and grass- seed on flattened 

 stones with pestles, and, in some instances, with metlatls. + Baking- 

 is done under a layer of sand, upon which a fire is built, as with 

 the Mojaves, Pah-Utes, and some of the Shoshonees, and others. The 

 manufacture of stone arrow-heads is still carried on by the Coyotero 

 Apaches. Various species of siliceous materials are employed. The 

 triangular shape is characteristic of this tribe. The dart is fastened to 

 the shaft by means of a dark reddish-brown vegetable gum and sinew 



*Eep. Exped. Znni and Colorado River, Capt. L. Sitgreaves, Wash., 1833, p. 18. 

 tTlie word metate has been generally used, but as it is of Aztec origin and slightly 

 -corrupted, I propose to use the proper term, metlatl, as above. The metalpile is gener- 



