The Raymer enterprise., 1912-10-17

naked mouptain
rock, with permanent fresh water In or two
places only Separated from the rest OF Sonora
BY an almost impossible desert. and containing
nothing to excite the interest or cupidity OF the
prospector or Mexican. 1t has remained uneI.
p!ored and unyisted until quite recent times.
Though in the surrounding country there are
many traces Of ancient civilization, in Seriland
itself there remains nor any evidence to
show that any other race. markedly distinct
either In habits or customs from its present in.
habitants had ever made their home there.
Hence 1t may be assumed that the Seri did not
migrate to this part OF the world but are indi
genous to the land The Seri Indians are physi.
cally fine race. rather above the medium hei~ht.
though somewhat slightly made. They are very
dark with long coarse hair but when young are
by means ugly. They have low. quiet voices
and their language Is much more melodious than
that OF the Yuma or Papago Indians. Their cloth
Ing Is somewhat unusual for they wear a kind
Of robe OF pelican skins a short kilt skirt.
These pelican rugs are beautifully made OF be-
tween four and eight skins sewn together with
snews or deerskn. and are used as bedding at
night. Their belts OF woven human hair
vegetable fiber. though snake and lizard skins
also used for the same purpose. The arms,
bust, legs and feet are usually bare. When 1t Is
remembered that these people own no domestic
animals Of any kind. except dogs that really
coyotes and do not cultivate TIL the land at
all II will be seen that they have to depend en-.
.tirey on hunting to supply them with dress and
food Pelicans are found literally by the thou.
sand. especially round the little lsla 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 rainless
climate As regards food they subsIst chiefly
On turtles FISH nnlluSCs and Watpr.fDWl 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 plentlfully In the
Sor mountains. Scattered over the greater por-
ton OF the island are Charred oyster shells which
show that they are very partial to this form CT
food and that they use fire to open shell.hsh OF
all kinds as they do not possess any knives.
They catch the turtles By hRrpoOning them with
n very primitive kind Of spear; the latter Is made
in two parts connected By fiber rope. to the
front one OF which rough po..H OF hardened
wood stone or, II possible iron. is attached
As soon as they see turtle they approach noise.
lossly from behind and thrust the spear through
the shell The front portion Of the spear remains
I'm the animal but the turtle cannot escape be.
cause Of the rope, aud 1t is soon towed to the
shore and there broken open, when It is roasted
or eaten raw. Fish which abound in these wa
tcrs are caught by means OF q fiber line and
primitive hook the latter being very often made
from q thorn or piece OF bone. though sometimes
the larger kinds OF FISH are killed with bow
and arrow. a weapon much in use among the Ser
Their huts are Of the most primitive description,
being made merely Of dried brushwood and rooted
with turtle shells and sponges. They AFFORD some
slight shelter from tho sun. which Is their main
purpose for the heat is always intense the year
round and | suppose that there arc few hotter
places on earth
The foregoing facts are sufficient to mark the
Scri as very distinct from other North American
Indians. but there are 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 Is convincing proof
OF their long residence In that locality. Their
chief deity for instance, Is the Ancient OF Pe'
cans" mythical bird OF marvellous wisdom and
melodious song, and their lesser gods are super.
natural beings In similar familiar forms Every
year, before starting out on their annual cxpedi.
tons to 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 are to be seen all over the Serl
country. and bear eloquent. II silent, testimony
TO the valiant defense they have made against
their enemies: for OF the several thousand seri
Indians that were known to exist some thirty
wears ago. there are but three hundred and sey.
enty.Nye left now. OF which not more than seven,
ty.two are adult males
The country is no less unusual than Its In.
for Il contains many remarkable trees
and plants. II would be natural to suppose that