The Arvada enterprise., 1912-10-17

rock. with permanent fresh water in one two
places only Separated from the rest of Sonora
by an almost impossible desert. and containing
nothing to excite the interest or cupidty of the
prcspector Mexican, It has remained unex,
plored and unvsited until quite recent times
Though In the surrounding country there are
many traces of an ancient civilization. In Seriland
itself there are remains nor any evidence to
show that any other race markedly distinct
either in habits customs from It's present In
habitants, had ever made their home there
Hence 1t may be assumed that the Serl did not
migrate to this part Of the world, but are ind
genous to the land, The Ser Indians are phys.
cally fine race rather above the medium HEIGHT,
though somewhat slightly made. They very
dark. with long coarse hair but when young
by no means ugly. They have low, quiet voices,
and their language is much more meodious than
that of the Yuma Papago Indians. Their cloth.
ing Is somewhat unusual for they a kind
of robe of pelican skins over short kilt or skirt
These pelican rugs beautifully made of be-
tween four and eight skins sewn together with
slnews deerskin, and used bedding at
night. Their belts of woven human hair or
vegetable fiber, though snake and lizard skins
also used for the purpose The arms
bust. legs and feet usually bare. When it Is
remembered that these people own domestic
animals OF any kind except dogs that really
coyotes and do not cultivate or till the land at
all 1t Will be that they have to depend en-.
tirely hunting to supply them with dress and
food Pelicans found literally by the thou.
sand. especially round the little Isa Tassne. and
provide the Indians with amply sufficient mate
rial to make all the clothing and blankets they
are likely to need In that hot and almost rainess
climate. As regards food they subsst chiefly
turtles, fish molluscs and waterfowl which
are eaten raw and during the proper seasons they
feed on the fruits of the various cacti and mes
quite beans which grow fairly pentiully In the
Scri mountains. Scattered over the greater por-
ton of the island are charred oyster shells which
show that they very partial to this form Of
food, and that they use fire to open shell-fsh OF
all kinds. ms they do not possess any knives
They catch the turtles by harpooning them with
very primitive kind of spear: the latter is made
in two parts connected by fiber rope to the
front OF which rough pc. II of hardened
wood stone. or If possible. iron is attached
As soon as they a turtle they approach noise
lessy from behind and thrust the spear through
the shell The front portion Of the spear remains
in the animal. but the turtle cannot escape be
cause of the rope and 1t s soon towed to the
shore and there broken open, when II is roasted
or eaten raw Fish which abound in these
ters are caught by means Of a fiber line and
primitive hook the latter being very often made
from n thorn or piece Of bone though sometimes
the larger kinds OF fish are killed with bow
and arrow. Il weapon much In use among the Seri
Their huts are OF the most primitive description.
being made merely Of dried brushwood and rooted
with turtle shells and sponEes. They afford some
slight shelter from the sun, which ia their main
purpose for the heat is always intense the year
round and I suppose that there are few hotter
places earth.
The foregoing facts are sufficient to mark the
Scri as very distinct from other North American
Indians. but there many other curious and
peculiar customs which they do not share with
any other tribes. Their religion is exceedingly
interesting. though somewhat obscure. and the
local character OF their gods ls convincing proof
OF their long residence In that locality Their
chief deity for instance, Is the Ancient OF Pc
cans" mythical bird Of marvellous wisdom and
melodluus song and their lesser gods super
natural beings IN similar familiar forms. Every
year before starting ont on their annual cNped.
tions 10 gather fruit Of the cact they hold their
one important religious festival at which they
make many ceremonial offerings in order that tho
supply may be plentiful Their dead are buried
in their most elaborate garments with their
weapons beside them under mound OF stones
These graves TO be all tho Sorl
country and bear eloquent II silent testimony
10 the valiant defense they have made against
their enemies for OF the several thousand Seri
Indians that were known 10 exist some thirty
years ago there are but three hundred and sew.
onty-hve loft now NJ which not more than seven
ty.two are adult malcF
Tho country Is no less unusual than It's in
habitants for ~ contains many remarkable trees
and plants II would be natural to suppose that