THE SEMINOLE INDIANS. It 
large wooden vessel or trough, where it is ground and pounded into 
a powder; this powder is then carefully washed, and after repeated 
washing becomes very white and clean. If 
it is not entirely free from dirt upon being 
wet it assumes a pale pinkish color, but if 
thoroughly cleansed it remains perfectly 
white. This is called ‘* coontie” by the 
Indians, and is prepared much in the same manner as we use 
cornstarch or arrowroot. It is sometimes mixed with wheat flour 
and made into cakes, which when fried are very palatable. The 
seeds of the kumpty plant are contained in a cone having the 
general appearance of a pine cone about to sprout. They resem- 
ble kernels of corn, but are larger and flatter and of an orange-red 
color. . 
The Indian does little in the way of farming. He clears small 
hummocks and plants corn, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and some- 
times raises a little maize; in some of the camps he has bananas 
growing and a few orange or lemon trees, but, as a rule, he raises 
barely enough to supply himself and family a part of the year. 
I have been unable to learn anything definite of the Indian laws 
regarding punishment of crime. That they do have such laws is 
known. Years ago Old Charlie was condemned to have the upper 
portion of his ears cut off and was banished for one year from the 
tribe under penalty of death if he returned. He is one of the nicest 
old Indians of the lot, but lost his ears for ‘‘ talking too much,” as 
the Indians say. 
Upon the death of an Indian the body is clothed in a new shirt, 
and usually a handkerchief is tied around the neck and a new turban 
put about the head. Sometimes the face is painted, usually with a 
round spot on each cheek. A piece of burnt wood is placed in the 
left hand and a bow and one arrow is usually buried with him. 
When the place for burial is selected the ground is prepared in the 
following manner: A floor of palmetto logs is built some seven feet 
long by three feet wide, over which a roof of palmetto leaves is con- 
structed. The body is placed in this small house, the feet, it is 
THE SOFKEE-SPOON. 
