1881. | Pueblo Pottery. 459 
on a white or cream-colored ground. The clay used for the 
ground is a superior quality of kaolin. After being finely pow- 
dered, it is mixed with water and agitated, and is then poured 
from one vessel to another until the gritty substances are en- 
tirely removed. This coating, when of the consistency of ordi- 
nary lead paint, which it greatly resembles, is then applied to the 
dried clay vessels, which are in the “biscuit” state, by means of a 
stick, until the surfaces are entirely covered. “The lustre or 
glaze,” remarks Mr. Menaul, “is given them when the white paint 
is put on, by rubbing and polishing them with a small, very 
smooth, flinty stone, such as you find on the sea beach. The 
paint, being made of a kind of pumice-stone, smooths off as if 
it had oil in it.” 
The brown or black pigment is made from a red oxide of iron, 
and is prepared in the same way as the white clay. Before using 
this in ornamenting the vessels, in order to prevent its rubbing 
off, it is mixed with the residue of two plants, obtained by boiling 
together for a long time until of the required consistency, when 
it is allowed to cool, and becomes perfectly hard and black. The 
substance formed by this combination is then applied to the white 
surfaces of the vessels to be decorated, by means of a brush made 
from a wisp cut from the surface of a corn-stalk, the designs being 
generally drawn without first being traced. A yellowish clay or 
stone which is treated in the same manner as the white, changes 
to a brilliant red color during the process of burning. The clay 
used to produce a yellow color is pink, whilst that for drab is of 
a grayish hue. 
After the molding and decorating processes have been com- 
pleted, the vessels are elevated on stones, usually in the open 
air, and the dried manure of goats is placed below, around and 
above them, This is considered the best fuel, producing a very 
hot, even fire of two or three hours’ duration. Through the 
burning process the vessels are closely watched, so that no por- 
tion of them is allowed to become exposed to the atmosphere, 
The Pueblo potter works very slowly, and occupies considerable 
time in molding and beautifying her wares, When at work she 
kneels Upon the ground or floor of her dwelling and bending 
Over the unfinished vessel, gradually imparts to it a symmetry of 
form by repeatedly going over it with moistened fingers. 
The resident missionary at Zufi, Rev. T, F. Ealy, M.D., writes 
