474 EEPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



to their commnuication with the whites. Nevertheless, these siliceous 

 chips aucl Hakes are fouud more or less about all such stations, and from 

 the surface accumulation we are enabled to form some idea of their age. 

 None have been found throughout the region under consideration that 

 would indicate a greater existence than from forty to fifty years. 



A circle of this sort is described and figured in the "Eeport upon the 

 Eeconnaissanceof Northwestern Wyoming, 1873, &c., Capt. W. A. Jones, 

 United States Eugineers," p. 264, which is considered to be a relic of a 

 race of sun- worshippers. Dr. F. M. Endlich, of this Survey, has observed 

 similar circles throughout the northern Shoshonee country, in and about 

 which he has invariably found flint chippings upon the removal of sur- 

 face accumulations of earth, sand, or other materials. This has been the 

 result of my examinations in the Pah-Ute country of Southwestern Ne- 

 vada, where these Indians had similar "lookout" stations in former 

 times. The Hualpai, of Arizona, are also in the habit of stationing sen- 

 tinels upon elevated ridges or buttes, where stones have been arranged 

 in some manner so as to indicate at a glance for what purpose the loca- 

 tion is intended. Similar circles are constructed by the Dakotas on the 

 Upper Missouri. Any elevated locality in the immediate vicinity of an 

 encampment will farnish, upon examination, circles or other forms of 

 stones. From such posts of observation signals can be transmitted to 

 camp, imparting information as satisfactorily as if delivered verbally. 



It is a well known fact that the Indians throughout the country have 

 a most remarkable manner of transmitting information quickly and 

 accurately. The tribes of the Southwest signal by means of smoke by 

 day and fire by night. The Dakotas even mix their combustibles so as 

 to cause different shades of smoke ; using dried grass for the lightest 

 and pine-leaves for the darkest, a mixture of the two in proper propor- 

 tions causing an intermediate shade. These, with their manner of caus- 

 ing a column or several puffs of smoke, furnish materials for a variety 

 of combinations and effects. At night a continued fire and puffs or 

 flashes are used. Frequently a bunch of grass is tied to an arrow, lit 

 at the top, and fired into the air. The Aztecs signalled to one another 

 by means of fire during the siege of the city of Mexico,* and by this 

 means likewise summoned their forces. 



8. Pottery and pictograths. 



In the White Mountains, between the towns of Columbus, Nev., and 

 Benton, Cal., are varied remains of pictographs or rock drawings. 

 These represent odd figures of men, animals, and other unintelligible 

 characters. The Pah-Utes, who are located on the California side, and 

 the Shoshonees near Columbus, are unacquainted with them. These re- 

 mains of a former race are more numerous as we proceed southward, and 

 they evidently belong to the same group who have left such numerous 

 and interesting evidences of a former extensive population in Arizona. 

 About 20 miles south of Benton the stage-road passes through a narrow 

 defile, upon either side of which the perpendicular walls rise to a height 



* Verdad. Hist, de los Sue. de la Conqnesta de la Nueva-Espana. Per el Capitaii 

 Bernal Diaz del Castillo. < Historiadores prim, de Indias. Don Enrique de Vedia. 

 Tom. Seg., p. 117, Madrid, 1853. 



[Bib. Ant. Esp., vol. i, 52.] 



A description is given on telegraphing by means of smoke by Capt. Randolph B. 

 Marcy, U. S. Army. <" The Prairie Traveller," etc.. New York, 1859, pp. 226-229. 



Note on accuracy in signals is also given by Josiah Gregg. < Commerce of the 

 Prairies, etc., New York, vol. ii, 1844, p. 295. 



