ZUNI SPRING.—INDIAN POTTERY. 
45 
Zuili Indians do not have recourse to artificial irrigation, they depend entirely on rain; and it is 
their belief that, if they neglected the annual ceremonies at this spring, their crops would he 
destroyed by drought. 
Of indications of man’s movements in remote times, none are more durable and reliable, and 
surely none are associated with more agreeable reflections, than wells and fountains. Architec¬ 
tural and other remains occur in the vicinity of this spring, and throughout all the regions of 
New Mexico; but, compared to the date of its enclosure and use, they are but of yesterday. 
Plate 38. 
Indian designs and manufactures. 
Figure 1. This singularly formed vase was abstracted from the sacred spring of the Zuhis. 
Its capacity is about a gallon. The material is a light-colored clay, tolerably well burnt, and 
ornamented with lines and figures of a dark brown or chocolate color. A vast amount of labor 
has been spent on decorating the unique lip. A fine border-line has been drawn along the edge 
and on both sides of the deep embattled rim. Horned frogs and tadpoles alternate on the inner 
surface of the turrets, while one of the latter is represented on the outside of each. Larger frogs 
or toads are portrayed within the body of the vessel. The artist evidently used his brush with 
much freedom. Several of the figures might serve as spirited specimens of diablerie; of which 
the enlarged one above the vase is a sample. 
