Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/136

] purpose, so far as the writer is aware. The collection contains one very old spoon of Pima manufacture, which is practically an elongated bowl (pl., a). Another specimen was made for us to illustrate the type, which, though rare, is well recognized (pl., b). The collection contains also a bowl (pl., c), two coiled bowls (pl. , d), and two decorated bowls (pl. , e).

Pottery was mended with gum from the creosote bush, Larrea mexicana (pl., a). This bush grows abundantly on the driest plains of the Gila watershed, but its leaves are so bitter that it is not touched by stock, however extreme may be their hunger.



The art of basket making is practised in nearly every Pima home. The more skillful basket makers produce wares that are useful, durable, and handsome. The work, which is done by the women, requires much time and patience. Owing to the poverty of the tribe since the river water has been taken from them, some women have been induced to begin the manufacture of baskets without having received the necessary training in girlhood and without any pride in the finished product, as it is possible to dispose of them at once at a fair price, no matter how wretchedly bad they may be.

There are three materials which surpass all others in importance, and quite a number that play a minor part. First. of all should be named the willow, Salix nigra (fig. 56), twigs of which are gathered in March just before the leaves appear. The Yavapais who now live at old Fort McDowell use the willow for the white part of the outside of baskets and for the inner coil as well; but the Pimas employ the willow for the weft only. The twigs are about 50 cm. in