282 CALIFORNIA MAMMAIiS. 



!the number of Indians in California, but a rapid diminution then 

 'began; partly through the unjustifiable persecution by the strong- 

 ■er, better armed, aggressive gold-seekers, many of whom cared 

 nothing for the moral rights of the Indians; partly through the 

 introduction of intoxicating liquors ; but more through the efifects 

 'of epidemic and other diseases which came with the whites. Now 

 ■some of the smaller tribes are practically extinct, but under more 

 wholesome conditions the younger generation seems to be nearly 

 holding its own or iWowly increasing in a few places. The Cali- 

 fornia Indians seemed to lack the power of organization and the 

 faculty of invention, hence they made little progress toward civili- 

 zation until the whites came and took the lead. Their recent pro- 

 gress shows that they are capable of considerable education. 



The name Amerind has been proposed for the native races 

 -of America. It is composed oi the first syllables of America and 

 Indian. 



