1877.] Gaming among the Utah Indians. 353 
songs of the Utes are different from this, yet they are somewhat 
similar. 
Gaming is not confined to the male sex of the tribe, but is in- 
dulged in to some extent by the squaws. During the palmy 
November days of Indian summer, when the whole tribe throw 
off care and give themselves up in a measure to enjoyment, the 
old crones will often gather for a game of chance, on a more 
limited scale. All their trinkets and gewgaws are brought out 
and their ornaments stripped from their persons, and the game 
of chance proceeds. I have frequently seen these toothless old 
hags quarreling over some paltry toy, with a pack of filthy play- 
ing-cards in their hands. But assuredly they do not play any 
standard game with them; they have methods of their own, of 
which I could make nothing. These cards are obtained from 
traders and explorers, but when they cannot be had, the squaws 
will simulate the American cards in their own rude manufact-_ 
ures: the spots are represented by fanciful devices, and the face- _ 
cards by grotesque paintings. The men usually disdain these 
feminine methods of gaming, and practice the more exciting mode 
as I have described it above. 
In this connection it might be well to say a few words relat- 
ing to the negligence of ethnologists in omitting to collect the 
Songs and chants of the American tribes, when it has been in ` 
their power. This branch of the science seems to have been 
entirely overlooked (excepting in a few instances), though it is 
almost as important as many others which are studied so assidu- 
ously. That the tunes or dirges of unallied families differ to a 
great extent there can be no doubt, and frequently these are 
of as much importance in seeking to determine affinity or re- 
lationship as the study of philology. It is desirable, therefore, 
that every chance be seized for jotting down these native chants, 
as in a very few years more such opportunities will have passed 
away forever, 
N. B. Since this paper was placed in the hands of the editor, 
a Bulletin has been issued by Hayden’s United States Geological 
Survey, containing an interesting article on the Twana Indians 
of Washington Territory, by the Rey. M. Eells, in which their 
Modes of gambling are mentioned. The second game played by 
this tribe bears a singularly striking resemblance to the above- 
described method, differing principally in the musical accompani- 
Ment. It is probable that the two-bone game was, and is still, 
common among many of the western tribes. 
VOL. XI, — xo, 6. 23 
