Sea Pansies. 227 



of the Spaniard, since these same people, I was informed, clean 

 cotton in the same manner, some growing cotton in their fields, or 

 buying from other Indians and Mexicans. 



In the preparation of wool a small hide is placed in a conven- 

 ient place on the ground, with something beneath its center to raise 

 it a few inches from the ground. The wool is, of course, previously 

 washed and now placed in the center of the hide. The operator — a 

 woman — takes a kneeling posture and proceeds to thrash the wool 

 with a long, well seasoned stick, strong and slightly larger in the 

 center than at the ends. 



With each measured stroke the stick is brought low by the right 

 hand while the left hand is brought in contact with the wool, the 

 thumb and finger encircling the stick, which is withdrawn through 

 the left hand, thus preventing the wool from scattering during the 

 thrashing process. It is a slow process, but these patient people are 

 equal to the task and the wool is brought into the same condition 

 as if prepared by machinery. 



In the preparation of cotton, the Indians have first the slow 

 and tedious task of separating the seeds by hand, before submitting 

 the cotton to the slow, measured strokes of the Indian lady who 

 represents the Indian cotton gin. The steady measured stroke and 

 the withdrawal of the stick through the left hand prevents the scat- 

 tering of the lint, which one who has not seen the operation might 

 expect. 



Slow as the process is, it has for many years answered the 

 requirements of these people, and by patient labor they are enabled 

 to accomplish much in a single day. 



To a stranger it is an interesting sight to watch these simple 

 people prepare their wool and cotton for spinning, with only a 

 stick, patience and long experience to bring about the desired re- 

 sults. Edward Palmer. 



SEA PANSIES. 



One of the most beautiful of the organisms on the Pacific Coast 

 is the Renilla amethystina, or sea pansy, as it is very appropriately 

 called. It is really a community of coral-like animals living in a 

 structure somewhat of the size and shape of a pansy flower, with a 

 short stem that further carries out the resemblance. 



The color of the main structure is of a rich royal purple, while 

 the jelly-like animals themselves are white, and peeping out from 

 their doorway appear like stars in the firmament of the heavens. 



These communities are not rare on our sandy shores, but may 



