3o8 Mexican Caves with Hitman Remains. [April, 



The wooden handles and tools were cut by stone tools, and 

 when they were required to be sharp, smooth and round, they 

 were rendered so by rubbing with stones. 



As no ruins of ancient dwellings are to be found in the cave 

 district, it is to be inferred that they lived in dwellings of very 

 perishable materials. 



Baskets, plain and ornamented, were made from the split twigs 

 of the Rhus or split roots of the mesquite bound over small rolls 

 of grass. Dress goods were all made by hand-loom, or made of 

 skins, and all garments of the same fashion were as plain as could 

 be made. Only two pieces of pottery were found. If the war- 

 like character of the people is to be inferred from the implements 

 found, they should be considered very peaceable, for only two 

 arrow-heads, parts of two bows, and one arrow shaft, to which is 

 attached a piece of reed, having inserted in it a piece of a wooden 

 arrow, the kind often used to kill small game; knives of fine 

 finish made of stones, which by their size and shape would indi- 

 cate they were used in cutting the maguey plant for roasting, and 

 for dividing it after being cooked, were found. 



For beds, small sticks and twigs of plants, over which were laid 

 grasses, leaves, hides of animals, or mats, were used, as indicated 

 by the remnants found in the caves. For covering by night, 

 their clothing answered admirably, being long and of a width 

 sufficient to cover them ; their garments may be called long, 

 narrow blankets, retaining their strength to the present time; 

 bands, parallel lines or simple diamonds or squares were used in 

 ornamentation. The colors used in dyeing are yet bright and 

 perfect, being black, yellow, brown, red, and orange. 



Easily constructed from the small pools, and sticks for the 

 side and frame ; for a roof, grass and earth, or yucca leaves were 

 used. These simple huts were airy and cool, suited to the wants 

 of a people living in a state of nature, and the requirements of a 

 hot climate. 



Are the native inhabitants of the country under consideration, 

 descendants of those whose remains are found in the caves? 

 Though they have been modified to some extent by the Catholic 

 religion, and introduced customs from Spain, they present very 

 much in their customs which compel the belief that they are yet 

 more truly Indian than any thing else. They live in their simple 

 huts with a household paraphernalia of Indians, often without the 



