CRADLES OF THE AMERICAN ABORIGINES. 



183 



prongs. This lashing crosses the twigs diagonally in front and the 

 rods behind vertically. 



The Mohave cradle-frame is a prettily-made ladder or trellis, built 

 up as follows (Fig. 15): A pole of hard wood about 7 feet long is bent 



Fig. 15. 

 Mohave Cradle, with Bed of shredded bark. 



(Cat. No. 24146, U. S. N. M. Colorado River, Arizona. Collected by Edward Palmer.) 



in the shape of an ox-bow, the sides 7 inches apart at top and 5J inches 

 at bottom, so that the cradle is a little narrower at the foot. Eleven 

 cross-bars, like ladder-rounds, connect and strengthen the frame, com- 

 mencing at the bottom and ending near the bow. These rounds con- 

 sist each of three elements: a rod or spreader between the two sides ; a 

 strap-like binding of two or three split twigs clasping the sides and 

 laid along on the spreader; a seizing of tough twigs holding fast the 

 straps and spreader. The drawing of the reverse side clearly sets forth 

 the manner of administering the light but strong cross-bracing. Upon 

 this ladder is laid the cradle bed of willow or mezquite bast, made as 

 follows : Three bundles of stripped bast, each about an inch in diameter, 

 are lashed at their middle with bast. They are then doubled together 

 concentrically and spread out to form a bed. On this is laid a little 

 loose, finely-shredded bast like a nest, and the bed is ready for the baby. 

 A dainty quilt or counterpane of bast is made from strips 30 inches 

 long, doubled and braided at the top like a cincture. This braiding is 



