Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-13

liquor becomes as clear as yellow amber, in
which condition it is drank. 1t is quite in
toxicating, and at the same time very nu-
tr1tious. so that those who partake of it get
rat on 1t. The Zunis make the same prep
aration, but throw away the beer eating
the lees. which they regard as a great del
icacy.
Indians ms Distillers.
Savages have readily adopted the process
of distillation for producing alcohol. The
Apaches of southern Arizona, who are the
most murderous and untamable of all
North American aborigines. make a ter
rife whisky from the sap of a small species
of cactus. They cut out the hearts of The
plants. resembling little cabbages, and in
the cup-shaped receptacles left behind the
sap accumulates. From this they distil
the famous ''mescal' which drives those
who drink 1t to sheer madness. Probably
the most primitive method of distilling is
practiced by the Indians Of Alaska, whose
apparatus for the purpose consists of moth
ing more elaborate than two tin cans and
a tube of the kind of seaweed known as
giant kelp." The tube is buried in snow
to keep it cool. Molasses furnishes the raw
material.
Leaves Of the coca plant. which. as has
been said, somewhat resembles in Its prop
rites the cactus of the southern prairie
Indians, are always found buried with the
ancient mummies Of Peru. 1t is supposed
to give comfort and strength TO the dead
Many accounts have been written of the
usefulness of this herb to the men who
carry great weights of freight over the
Andes. By chewing few morsels OF 1t
they are enabled to get along for days with
out rest or food. 1t is only very lately that
coca has been known to the civilized world
as a medicinal agent Of great value Tor
multitude Of purposes.
Among the Kiowns.
1t is supposed that the Kiowas got their
knowledge Of the wonderful cactus from
Mexico where they had sojourned. They
are the widest and most nomadic tribe in
this country-thoroughiy aboriginal in their
habits and migratory. They will hardly
camp seven days together in one place. AT
present they dwell in the Indian territory,
being confederated with the Comanches and
Apaches of that region. These three
tribes have different languages and can
not understand one another by speak
ing. Accordingly. they use the sign
language.
The Sign Language.
This sign language is understood by all
the prairie tribes from the British border
southwark to Texas. Without uttering a
word, they can express any idea. James
Mooney of the bureau of ethnology, to
whom the writer is indebted for his infor-
nation on this interesting subject, has seen
an entire council conducted by signs. seven
languages. including English, being repre-
scented. The most expert sign-talker on the
plains is Lieut.. H. l.. Scott, u. s. A. The
system is surprisingly simple, so that any
intelligent person can acquire its rudi-
ments with small difficulty.
The uplifted forefnger is a man. Making
stroke across the forehead and held up,
the foreiinger, is a white man-that is TO
say, man who wears a hat. The hand
Il fha Of -
hair is a woman. A stranger enters the te-
pee. One of the chiefs present waggles his
hand on his wrist. signifying vacillation.
That means who are your If the new
his throat. That is the sign of the Sioux
tribe. supposed by some to refer to the prac-
tice Of cutting the threats of enemies.
|. The sign of the Cheyennes is the motion
OF cutting off a finger, referring to their
practice of chopping off the fingers of
enemies for necklaces. The Tonkowa were
formerly cannibals, in allusion to which
fact they held up a finger to represent a
man, and then point the finger down the
throat Different tribes also have pictured
symbols That Of the Delawares. some of
whom have been driven out to the Indian
territory is a turtle. The eastern tribes
revere the turtle, because 1t brought the
world up from under the water. Originally
the world was covered with water all the
people and animals being up in the sky.
They sent messengers down to find land.
Dut without success. t1nally the turtle
went, dived and brought up a piece of
earth in its mouth, from which the Try
land grew.
Mr. Mooney has Just returned to Wash
ington from the Indian territory. He took
a monograph with him on his trip. and
has brought back cylinders on which are
recorded aboriginal songs in four different
languages. There are solos and choruses
some OF them are for the ghost dance.
others for the war dance, yet others to ac-
company gambling and others again Cor
the cactus-eating ceremonies. About a
month hence some Of the Indians are COM
ing TO Washington, where they will sing
their songs and do their dances for the cd.
ifcation Of government scientists