* 
1878. ] Anthropology. 403 
Te then made a small torch about half the size of one’s little 
finger by twisting some pieces of rags together rather tightly. 
Selecting a spine from the water and placing it between the ends 
of the wrapped thumb and finger, the torch was lit and held in 
the left hand close to the spine, the workman dexterously 
changing the position so as to impart the same amount of heat to 
all portions at once. Occasionally he moistened the spine in his 
mouth. By this application of heat and moisture he tempered 
the spine, and at thë same time applying a gentle pressure by the 
end of the wrapped finger he was soon able to produce a very 
fair and strong hook. As soon as a sufficient curvature is 
oor aa it is secured by fastening a string from the point to the 
shaft. 
The fish of the Colorado river, eaten by the Mohaves, do not 
nibble the bait, but bolt it, hook and all, and are killed by the 
wounds which are made in their gills. This cactus-spine hook 
would be of no use in catching fish that nibble, as there is no 
barb. The Indians fasten the bait below the hook, before throw- 
ing it into the water. The iron hooks obtained from the whites 
now take the place of their old-fashioned ones—Edward Palmer. 
INDIAN SreatiTE DisHEs.—A very interesting discovery has re- 
cently been made by Mr. H. N. Angell, of Providence, R. 1., 
showing how the Indians formerly manufactured steatite dishes. 
As he was quarrying about a ledge of rocks near his home, early 
in the month of February, he came upon a bed of soapstone, © 
which bore evident traces of having at one time been artificially 
worked. Cart loads of steatite dust and chippings were removed 
before the ledge could be uncovered, when it presented a very 
peculiar appearance, being covered by protuberances and depres- 
sions. A number of finished vessels were obtained and many 
more in a partial state of completion, The pots were first rudely 
carved out of the rock with slate or stone khives and chisels, 
VOL. XIL=-N0 VI. 29 
