The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-23

for 1863. Tho statements of fact and dednc'
tons propounded in that letter nre, to n large
extent, rctuted or superseded by the elaborate
work before us.
Who are tho Navajo Indiansi They are u
tribe living in the southwestern portion Of the
United States; mostly in the territories of New
Mexico and Arizona, but partly in the States Of
Colorado and Utah. A definite reservation Of
over twelve thousand square miles has been set
apart for them; but, in every direction beyond
the borders OF this reservation. isolated families
and small bands may be found dwelling either
temporarily or permanently in localities where
there are springs, streams, pools. or arti-
Hcial reservoirs OF water. Some have taken
mp homesteads, or have otherwise acquired
q legal title to lands beyond the Dor
ders of tho reservation. Others are
merely squatters. The region which the
Navahoes occupy is arid. but not an absolute
desert. The precipitation at an altitude of
1000 feet amounts, on an average, to only
l4.1O inches during the year. and this is gener-
ally confined 10 two short seasons Of moisture,
separated by months Of absolute drought, which,
except in specially favored localities, would de-
stroy any of our ordinary field crops. There arc
small spots. however, far apart, where irriga-
tion can be practised, and there are other places,
deserts to tho eye, which no white men would
think of cultivating, but where Indians raise
meagre crops Of corn. Of squashes, and melons.
Even on the apparently arid plains the
Indian farmers, by planting wheat deep in
O moist subsoil. and placing their seeds
where tho long droughts cannot destroy
them, manage to obtain some returns.
Potatoes grow wild in the Navajo country.
Fortunately for the Navahoes. no mines OF
precious metals worth working have yet been
discovered on their reservation. The surface Of
the country over which they are scattered varies
In altitude from 1000 feet or less In the valley
of the Colorado to over II, 900 feet in the high
peaks of San Mateo. San Francisco, and the San
Juan range. which additionally border their
lands. The country consists. for the most part,
of great plains and plateaux or mesas, while
the lower levels, except in the bottom lands
of the constantly flowing rivers, are desti-
tute of trees. The mesas at attitudes OF
from 5000 to 1000 feet are well covered with
low forests OF pihon. red cedar. and juniper.
Above 1000 feet some spruce is found, and at
attitudes OF 5000 feet or more the white pine
grows abundantly. While the NavRhoes cult.
vate the soil to q certain extent, their crops fur.
nish but a small part of their subsistence. Their
sterile country is fairly well adapted to the rails.
ing Of sheep and goats, and these form their
chief food supply and source of wealth. They
raise a few neat cattle and possess many ponies.
1t is pointed out by Major Matthews that. as
domesticated sheep and goats were unknown in
America before the discovery by Columbus,
the Navahoes cannot have been shepherds
for many centuries. From their legends
st seems that only recently have they
become n prosperous and wealthy folk,
as they now are, for savages; that, in old
days, they were even poor hunters, and lived
largely on the seeds of wild plants and on small
animals which they caught in small traps. No
exact census Of the tribe has ever been taken.
In 1867 there were 1900 held in captivity, but,
while the majority of the tribe were then pris
oners of war, 1t is well known that many still
roamed at large. The nearest approach to ar
accurate census was made in 1869. in order &c
distribute among them 10000 head of sheep and
1000 goats. The result OF the count showed
that there were less than 1000 Navahoes
all told, a fair llowance being made for all who
had failed to come in. The enumeration made
in 1890 as q part of the eleventh census of the
United States gave tho tribe q population Of
17.2O4 for that year. but white men living in
the Navajo country at the time considered
the estimate excessive. All who have intimate
knowledge of the Navahoes agree that they have
increased rapidly since they were restored tc
their ancient homes in 1869. Consumption ant
~Dcrofula. the greatest enemies OF our reserva
tion Indians, have not yet begun to trouble tn,
Navahoes.
ii.
Ethnographically. who are the Navahoes
They are usually regarded by ethnologists a
being. by blood as well as by language, of tn,
Demo or Athapascan stock, and Major Mat
thews thinks that such they are in the main
He points out, however. that their Origin Leg
end represents them as a very mixed race. con
tanning elements OF Zuhian and other Pueblo
stocks. of Shoshonian and Yuman, and the