Amb}™-J£rm }        Plants  Used  by  the  Indians.  589 
Urtica  holosericea. — The  fibre  of  this  plant  is  used  by  the  Indians  of  Southern 
California  to  make  their  bow  strings.  In  order  to  separate  the  fibre  the  plant  has  to> 
go  through  the  same  process  as  hemp  ;  its  fibres  resembling  that  of  the  latter,  being 
equally  strong  and  durable. 
Ccnvania  mexicana. — This  tree  before  the  advent  of  Europeans  was  the  great 
source  from  which  the  Nevada  and  Utah  Indians  obtained  the  materials  for  their 
dress  goods.  The  outer  bark  is  rough,  but  the  inner  is  soft,  silky  and  pliable,  and 
of  a  brownish  color.  It  is  removed  in  long  strips,  varying  in  width,  a  desirable 
quality  in  a  bark  that  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  clothing,  sandals  and  ropes. 
These  articles  were  formerly  made  by  braiding  strips  of  bark  together,  or  woven 
with  the  hand  loom.  Females  made  skirts  from  strips  of  this  bark  by  braiding  & 
belt  to  which  they  suspended  many  strips  of  the  same  material,  hanging  down  to- 
the  knees  like  a  long  fringe  ;  the  rest  of  the  person  was  naked  in  summer.  Mats, 
were  also  made  from  this  bark  which  were  used  as  beds. 
Medicines. — Chlorogalum  pomeridianum,  common  soap  root  of  California,  and 
called  by  Indians  and  Mexicans  Amole.  It  produces  a  large  bulb  which  yields  a 
great  quantity  of  saponin,  very  good  for  washing,  for  which  purpose  it  is  much 
used  by  poor  people  and  the  Indians  of  California.  The  rough  covering  of  the  root 
is  formed  into  bunches  tied  up  and  used  for  hair  brushes  by  the  Indians. 
Datura  meteloUes  (Jamestown  weed). — The  California  Indians  make  a  decoction/ 
of  this  plant  which  is  given  to  young  females  to  stimulate  them  in  dancing.  After 
the  root  is  bruised  and  boiled  in  water,  the  liquid,  when  cold,  is  taken  internally  to- 
produce  a  stupefying  effect,  and  is  much  used  by  California  Indians. 
The  Pah-Utes  call  this  plant  Main-oph-<weep.  They  bruise  the  seeds,  soak  them 
in  water  and  expose  the  mixture  to  the  sun's  rays  to  cause  fermentation.  This  being, 
effected,  the  liquid  is  drank  and  has  the  same  narcotic  effect  as  the  preparation  made 
from  the  plant  or  root,  with  the  alcoholic  effect  added. 
Nicotiana  trigonop/ijlla,  N.  Bigelovii,  N.  attenuata. — The  leaves  of  all  these  species- 
of  Nicotiana  are  used  as  tobacco  by  the  Indians  of  Arizona,  Utah,  New  Mexico 
and  Southern  California.  The  strength  is  said  to  be  greater  than  that  of  the  culti- 
vated variety,  though  the  leaves  are  smaller. 
Ligusticum  apiifolium,  Angelica  of  the  settlers  of  Utah,  Pahnet- snap  of  the  Pah- 
Utes. — It  is  a  favorite  medicine  with  these  Indians.  The  root  is  bruised  and  used 
as  a  poultice  for  sprains  and  bruises.  A  tea  is  made  from  the  roots  and  is  taken  in- 
ternally for  pain  in  the  stomach.  The  Indians  if  afraid  of  catching  contagious 
diseases  fill  their  nostrils  with  pieces  of  the  root.  The  strong,  aromatic,  carroty 
smell  may  have  induced  them  to  believe  in  the  efficacy  of  this  plant  as  a  prophy- 
lactic. 
Berberis  aquifolium  or  Oregon  grape. — From  the  roots  of  this  plant  a  decoction  is- 
made  in  water,  or  they  are  steeped  in  liquor,  and  taken  infernally.  It  is  a  good> 
remedy  for  gentral  debility,  or  to  create  an  appetite,  and  is  considered  equal  to  sar- 
saparilla  in  its  medicinal  virtues.  It  is  a  favorite  medicine  with  the  California 
Indians. 
Anemopsis  californica^  Verba  Mansa  of  the  Mexicans. — The  root  of  this  plant  is 
a  great  remedy  among  the  Indians  of  Arizona,  and  Sonora  in  Mexico,  and  Southern- 
