78 
EXPLORATIONS BY THE 
lies below sea level, and that it was during recent geologic times 
cut off from the gulf by the delta of Sonora river and afterward 
desiccated by eva})oration. The territory bounded by this desert 
barrier is mountainous, yet exceedingly arid ; it is two or three 
thousand square miles in area, including about five hundred 
sciuare miles comprised in Tiburon island. The territory is 
claimed and exclusively held by the Seri Indians, a distinct 
aboriginal stock, who have been at war with all other peoples 
almost constantly from time immemorial and are now reduced to 
some 400 in numl>er. These Indians are of especial interest from 
tlieir isolation, from a more warlike disposition and a more primi- 
tive culture than api)car among otlier known people of North 
America, and from a variety of features connected with these 
characteristics. They are of si)lendid physique, with notably 
dark skin ; they live chiefiy on the tiesh of turtles and other ma- 
rine (jrganisms, })artly on game and wild fruits, most of their 
food being eaten raw ; they are without agriculture, and have no 
domestic animals save a few dogs ; their habitations are tiinrsy 
lodges of shrubbery and turtle shells; the}' are scantily clotlied, 
chiefiy in pelican skins ; they navigate their waters by means of 
the balsa, manufacture simj)le baskets and a distinctive pottery, 
and make efficient use of excellent l>ows and arrows, yet their 
stone art is l)elow the stage commonly called paleolithic; and 
they have a singular marriage custom tending to pert)etuate their 
isolation. No i)rehistoric works, save such as they now produce, 
are found in their territory. While the Indians fled at the ap- 
})roach of the party, considerable collections were made in the 
rancherias they had just deserted, the articles designed for barter 
with them being left in exchange. In addition to the ethnologic 
researches and ma])ping, somewhat careful studies were made of 
the flora, fauna, and geologic development of the entire area trav- 
ersed by the expedition. The exploration of the Seri country, 
hitherto unknown except as to the coast, was attended with some 
risk and hardship, due chiefly to dearth of water, but was with- 
out casualty. 
In December, 1894, IMr James Mooney began a special study of 
tlie Kiowa Indians in Oklahoma. He recently returned from the 
field, after nearly ten months of successful Avork. The KioAva 
Indians j) 0 ssess a highly interesting calendar system of strictly 
aboriginal character, and this system Avas one of the subjects of 
Mr Mooney’s researches. Leading personages of the tribe keep 
a sort of year book in Avhich the principal events of the seasons 
