New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
A PECULIAR MEXICAN PLANT.
PROPERTIES OF TIE PEYoTE-
From The Washington star.

From The Washington star.
Professor Mooney Of the Bureau of Ethnoogy.
has lately returned from a trip through the
southwestern portion OF this country and por-
ton Of Mexico. This one Of the eth
nolocis''s regular working trips. study was
made OF number Of Indian tribes. with spe-
cal view of investig a;ng their use OF the plant
belonging to the cactus family known as pey-
ote. sometimes designated as mcscal. in con-
nection with their religious ceremonials. As the
result II his researches Professor Mooney found
that the peyOte is used by the different Indian
tribes as fai south as the City Of Mexico.
though number OF them use 1t in different
manner.
Professor Mooney left Washington in Septem-
hcr. accompanied 10y his wife. He went to
New Mexico where he pursued his investga-
ti0ns among the tribes Of fiaicaria Indians
The professor found that they did not have the
pcyotc. Next the Pucblos. the Rio Grande.
We're visited. They knew ~ the existence OF the
plant. but made no of it, 1t was found that
no plant was brought into requsition By the
Mcscaero tribe Of Tn,lians. in Southeastern
New Mexico. After visiting some OF the tribes
he border Of Texas and Mexico the pro-
fcssor and his wife paid A visit to the family
Of Governor shepherd. in old Mexico. the pro-
fcssOr making side trips TO follow up his work
among the Taru Mari Indians. among the Sierra
Malrc Mountains.
TIE trip from the railroad n Chihuahua TO
Eatopilas whore the mines arc. and whore the
Shepherds reside. is about three hundred miles.
through probably Of the most difficult
regions Of mountain country 10 traverse IN
America. Some idea # the difficulties 10 he en-
can be uni 'rstl0d when II Is stated
that the trip takes nirc days. including one day
which it is necessary ID spend in arranging the
mule tram. Threc days ~ the trip are spent
In a wheeled vehirl" ana the other av" on the
ba las ~ mules Horses cannot be- used Pro-
fcssor Mooney SAYS. they Hic MT Suincltnty
sur'footci. NJ 'ne point a descent ~ SIX th"u-
sard feet is made Ia two hours time.
Along the roUi" are placed adobe hu's Or shell
ters In which the travellers spent the night
wrapped in blankets Tho mule tram Is called
the conductor" The trip was mad" without
hurt hy the professor AMI his wife ne going
ahead often TO study the characteristics OF the
Indians
Tte Tarus Maris. hc states. arc much Ike the
ru' bio Indians. hut arr much more PRIMITIVE
They wear simply hreoch clouts and hunt with
bow ard arrows. \ party NJ them WAS seen
chasing a der the chase being con lucteI by
posting a numh,r - thcm IN ambush. thus
forming relays. ard wearirr out tn" animals by
this ucans Slrne = me other tribes were also
visited II MS f0urd by tn professor that IN"
religious use - III" peyltr was general by
tho people Their method - using II iiHcrS
~ many respects from, that = tribes in New
Mexico and further north. some + them use
only what j. known a the "hutt,n' % IA" plant.
while others maze regufiii1n ~ thr Whole
plant Ia most = d." cases the c'r'-n"rt1ls
last . d. and nirhi. In others continuing as
long Is four days In addition TO INVESTIGATING
the matter q the Irsltc Professor Mo0ncF
taxed ulfh many 2 he 49,. .sn"n. ari gained
Information from them On many ethnolosicll
subjects.
Professor Mooney brought back with him
number II icclme's IL the i'y1tc. The lat
ter = a mast curious plant. btinicalY con
s'derri. hithnurh IL has been ,nalyz,d by
few rain-rt chemists knowledge concerning rs
properties ~ D-trl 4 ns vt rs heinz limited
one - its properties IS that 1t produces slimn-
laiinn. "Xh.arailon. COZ something which Is AKIN
{ D, either - the. hui Is entirely without the
subs arc. - Nhirh lr duo. rii'a- "fects. VIII n
tn Indians u ? thy h.~0m' wrought ny t' =