472 REPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



The Pah-Utes, knowu as the Cottonwood, Corn Creek, Spring Moun- 

 tain, and Pab-rimp Spring Indians, cremate their dead.* The following 

 extract has allusion to the Spring Mountain Pah-Utes, which description 

 answers for the others : 



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

 Utes, lies between 115° and 115° 35' west longitude, and latitude north 

 ,'55° and 30°; Spring Mountain being their stronghold, and is located 

 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 height of from 2 to 3 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 ex- 

 cellent 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, 

 may be represented to have been burnt, as the number of horses among 

 the tribe is very small. Although, according to their belief, when an 

 Indian dies his spirit goes to the East, which they consider the ' White 

 man's hunting ground,' and where he would be unable to hunt were 

 his spirit deprived of these valuable aids. The remains are then covered 

 with earth, whether really buried I could not ascertain." 



Since the above was written I have been informed that the ashes are 

 gathered, placed into a piece of cloth or blanket, and buried. 



It appears singular that two subtribes of one nation, speaking the 

 same language or dialect, should vary so much in such an important 

 lite. By way of illustration and to show some additional points of inter- 

 est connected with this subject, I will briefly allude to the mode prac- 

 tised by the Pah-Utes at Marysville, Cal. As soon as an Indian is taken 

 sick all the rest of the band remove their effects a short distance to a 

 temporary encampment. The sufferer is left in his tent or wicJceup, where 

 be is constantly supplied with food and other necessaries by one or more 

 of his relatives or friends. If death ensues, the corpse is wrapped in a 

 blanket and tied with ropes made of grass, so as to straighten the body 

 as much as possible. Pine wood is then collected, a pile erected about 

 8 feet long, 4 feet broad, and from 2 to 4 feet in height, the quantity 

 taken being suf&cient to consume the body. All the members of the 

 band (personal enemies excepted) then form a circle around the pile, 

 upon w hich the pall-bearers have deposited the corpse ; the pile is ignited, 

 and as the whole is being consumed, the widow or widower, as the case 

 may be, advances and besmears the face with the black exudation which 

 results from the blood, grease, and resin, intimating that no offers of 

 marriage will be received or given as long as any traces remain thereof; 

 the ashes of the body are then carefully collected, put into a small bag 

 made of rushes or a piece of cloth or blanket, and buried in a suitable 

 locality in the neighborhood. 



The Mojaves, at Camp Mojave, on the Colorado Elver, Arizona, bury 

 their dead in tlae sandy hills six or seven miles northeast of the settle- 

 ment. They never bury their dead on the western side of the river, as 

 they consider that region — especially the mountain-peaks — the abode of 

 the souls of bad Indians and evil spirits. The reason of this supersti- 

 tion can no doubt be attributed to the folloMing. Most of the elevated 

 points of land are daily subjected to severe showers, accompanied by 



* Pah-Ute Creaiation. Read before the Am. Phil. Soc, Dec. 4th, 1874. [W. J. H.] 



