26 Bulletin Santa Barbara Society of Natural History. Vol. I. 



cupied the country before and at the time of the great 

 volcanic outburst, which filled the existing river chan- 

 nels and formed the Table Mountains, destroying the 

 animal and vegetable life; after a lapse of time, the 

 race who re-peopled the same region discovered these 

 relics of an older race, of whom they had no knowl- 

 edge nor tradition, and ascribed to them great super- 

 natural power. 



The Napa Indians also stated that they were some- 

 times laid upon ledges of rocks on high peaks, with the 

 belief that, owing to their. peculiar form and some oc- 

 cult power which they possessed, they traveled in the 

 night through the water to drive the fish up the creeks 

 to favorite fishing places, or through the air to drive 

 the land game up towards certain peaks and favorite 

 hunting grounds. 



The peculiar pear-shaped form was given them to 

 enable them to cleave through the air and water. He 

 also stated they were used in time of war, as they were 

 supposed to travd about at night for the purpose of 

 worrying the enemies of their tribe. 



In a recent interview with one Rafael Solaris, the 

 last male represenative of the Tsa-ma-la tribe, who oc- 

 cupied a village called Tsok-to-no Ha-moo, near the 

 Santa Ynez Mission, Santa Barbara County, I obtain- 

 ed direct information which substantiates my views as 

 to the uses of these implements. Rafael at first dis- 

 claimed any knowledge of the uses of the so-called 

 plummets; but when shown a perforated one he recog- 

 nized it and said it was worn suspended from the neck 

 for defense, and to make the wearer impervious to ar- 

 rows, and that in time of war any one biting this im- 

 plement was rendered invisible to his enemies, and en- 

 abled to travel with safety. 



The medicine men, after fasting one month and ab- 

 staining from the use of fatty substances, after drink- 

 ing several cups of the decoction of a herb which they 

 called Tolwach-ie, were in proper condition to make 

 use of the charm stones. The herb is common in our 

 mountains, and has a profusion of white flowers and 



