The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-10-18

rock with permanent fresh water In one or two
places only Separated from the rest of Sonora
by an almost impossible desert and containing
nothing to excite the interest cupidity OF the
prospector or Mexican, it has remained unex
plored and unvisited until quite recent times
Though in the surrounding country there are
many traces Of an ancient civilization in Seriand
itself there are no remains nor any evidence 10
show that any other race, markedly distinct
either in habits customs from its present IN
habitants, had ever made their home there
Hence it 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 height,
though somewhat slightly made. They are very
dark with long, coarse hair but when young are
by no 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 il somewhat unusual, for they wear kind
of robe OF pelican skins over short kilt or skirt
These pelican rugs are beautifully made OF be-
tween four and eight skins sewn together with
sinews or deerskin, and are used as bedding at
night. Their belts are of woven human hair or
vegetable fiber though snake and lizard skins
are also used for the same purpose. The arms
bust, legs and feet are usually bare. When It IS
remembered that these people own no domestic
animals of any kind, except dogs that are really
coyotes and do not cultivate or till the land at
all it will be seen that they have to depend en-
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
are likely to need in that hot and almost rainess
climate AS regards food. they subsist chiefly
on 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 plentifully in the
Scri mountains Scattered over the greater por-
ton 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-fish OF
all kinds 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 one of which rough point OF hardened
wood stone Or If possible iron, Is attached
AS soon as they see a turtle they approach noise
lessly from behind and thrust the spear through
the she'll 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 1T is roasted
or eaten raw. Fish, which abound in these wa
ters are caught by means OF fiber line and
primitive hook. the latter being very often made
from a thorn or piece of bone, though sometimes
the larger kinds of FISH are killed with bow
and arrow, weapon much in use among the Serf
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 the sun, which is their main
purpose for the heat is always intense the year
round, and l suppose that there few hotter
places on earth
The foregoing facts are sufficient to mark the
Seri 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 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 are super
natural beings In similar familiar forms. Every
year before starting out their annual expedi-
tons to gather fruit of the eacu they hold their
one important religious festival at which they
make many ceremonial offerings in order that the
supply may be plentiful. Their dead are buried
All their most elaborate garments. with their
weapons beside them under mound OF stones.
These graves to be all over the Seri
country and bear eloquent. II silent. testimony
to the valiant defense they have made against
their enemieA for of the several thousand Seri
Indians that Swere known TO exist some thirty
years ago. there are but three hundred and sew
enty.five left npw OF which not more than seven
ty-two are adult males.
The countrykis less unusual than its in
habitanfs for Acontains many remarkable trees
land plants Y Ruld be natural 20 SUPPOSE that