The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-10-19

II
rock, with permanent fresh water in 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 Mexican it has remained
plored and unvisited until quite recent times.
Though in the surrounding country there
many traces OF ancient civilization, in Serand
itself there are remains any evidence to
show that any other race. markedly distinct
either in habits customs from its present in
habitants, had made their home there
Hence it may be assumed that the Seri did not
migrate to this part of the world but indi-
genous to the land The Seri Indians are physi-
cally fine race, rather above the medium hei~ht.
though somewhat slightly made. They very
dark, with long. hair. but when young are
by no means ugly. They have low quiet voices.
and their language is much more meodious than
that of the Yuma or Papago Indians. Their cloth
ing is somewhat unusual. for they 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
sinews or deerskn, and are used bedding>at
night. Their belts of woven human hair
vegetable fiber. though snake and lizard skins
are also used for the same purpose The arms.
bust, legs and feet are usually bare. When 1t is
remembered that these people domestic
animals OF any kind. except dogs that really
coyotes and do not cultivate till the land at
all 1t will be seen that they have to depend
tirely on hunting to supply them with dress and
food. Pelicans are found literally by the thou
sand especially round the little Isla Tassne and
provide the Indians with amply sufficient mate
rial to make all the clothing and blankets they
likely to need In that hot and almost rainless
climate. AS regards food. they subsist chiefly
turtles fish. molluscs and waterfowl. which
are eaten raw and during the proper seasons they
feed the fruits Of the various cacti and mes
quite beans which grow fairly plentifuly in the
sori mountains Scattered the greater por-
tion of the island charred oyster Shells which
show that they are very partial to this form of
food, and that they use fire to open shell-fsh OF
all kinds, as they do not possess any knives.
They catch the turtles by harpooning them with
a very primitive kind of spear the latter is made
in two parts connected by fiber rope to the
front of which rough point OF hardened
wood stone. or il possible. iron, is attached
AS soon as they see turtle they approach noise
lessly 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 it is soon towed to the
shore and there broken open. when it is roasted
or eaten Fish, which abound in these
ters. caught by means of fiber line and
primitive hook. the latter being very often made
from thorn or piece of bone though sometimes
the larger kinds of fish killed with bow
and arrow a weapon much in among the Seri.
Their huts are Of the most primitive description,
being made merely OF dried brushwood and rooted
with turtle shells and sponges. They a~ord
slight shelter from the sun, which is 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
Seri 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 is convincing proof
of their long residence in that locality Their
chief deity for instance. is the Ancient OF Peli
cans" a mythical bird of marvellous wisdom and
melodious song and their lesser gods super
natural beings In similar familiar forms. Every
year. before starting out their annual expedi-
tons gather fruit OF the cacti, they hold their
one important religious festival at which they
make many ceremonial offerings In order that the
supply may be plentiful. Their dead buried
in their most elaborate garments, with their
weapons beside them under a mound of stones.
These graves to be all the Seri
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 thirty
wears ago there but three hundred and
enty-fve left now. of which not more than seven
tytwo adult males
The country is less unusual than its In
nahitsnts TOR It contains many remarkable trees
and plants. 1t would be natural to suppose that