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♦ „
HE Seri are a dis
jaß tlnctive tribe in
■ I habi ts, customs
and language from
Z7 W»<- aB other North
American Indians,
and though they
। have been known
for a considerable
time both to Mex
icans and Amer
icans, they have re
mained unconquer-
ed and uncivilized up to the pres
ent time. Tiburon island, which
is their real home, lies close to
the coast of Sonora, Mexico, in
the Gulf of California, and is sep
arated from the mainland by a
harrow strip of sea called El In
fiernillo, so named because of the
turbulent water and dangerous
rapids that flow between. It is
some thirty miles
long from north to
south and approxi
. mately twenty miles
across at the widest
part. Due east
across the straits In
Sonora is a limited
strip of land, in
which are situated
the Seri mountains,
and here also are
found a few scat
tered families be
longing to the same
tribe. The whole of
their country Is rug
ged and desolate in
the extreme, con
sisting chiefly of
desert sand and
naked mountain
rock, with permanent fresh water in one or two
places only. Separated from the rest of Sonora
by an almost impassable desert, and containing
nothing to excite the interest or 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 Serlland
Itself there are no 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 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 a 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 is somewhat unusual, for they wear a kind
of robe of pelican skins over a 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 rainless
climate. As regards food, they subsist chiefly
on turtles, fish, molluscs and water-fowl, 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
Seri mountains. Scattered over the greater por
tion of the island are 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, 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 a fiber rope, to the
front one of which a 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 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, ^hen it is roasted
or eaten raw. Fish, which abound In these wa
ters, are caught by means of a 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 a bow
and arrow, a weapon much in use among the Seri.
Their huts are of the most primitive description,
being made merely of dried brushwood and roofed
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 I suppose that there are few hotter
places on earth.
The foregoing facts are sufficient to mark the
Seri 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 a convincing proof
of their long residence In that locality. Their
chief deity, for instance, is the "Ancient of Peli
cans,” a mythical bird of marvelous wisdom and
melodious song, and their lesser gods are super
natural beings In similar familiar forms. Every
year, before starting out on their annual expedi
tions to 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 are burled
In their most elaborate garments, with their
weapons beside them under a mound of stones.
These graves are to be seen all over the Seri
country, and bear eloquent, if 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
years ago, there are but three hundred and sev
enty-five left now, of which not more than seven- ,
ty-two are adult males.
The country is no less unusual than Its in
habitants, for It contains many remarkable trees
and plants. It would be natural to suppose that.
and the term “desert” gen
erally conveys the idea of large sand
plains devoid of all plant growth to those who
have not seen them. But this is quite a wrong
impression, for there is hardly a square mile
anywhere in Seriland where some kind of tree or
cactus cannot be found, though there may not be
any water for miles around. This fact makes the
botany of this region a most interesting study,
for if the vegetation were not provided with spe
cial means of obtaining and storing water, it
could not survive. All the trees and plants are
perennials and have enormously long roots. The
mesquite tree (Prosopls juliflora) and the palo
verde (Parkinsonia torreyana) are the most com
mon, and the former bears a kind of fruit or
bean, which the Indians grind Into corn. I re
member once when traveling In the "Malpais” of
Sonora I was obliged to rely for a whole month
on these mesquite beans alone to feed my horses
and pack animals, for grass is practically absent
on these plains except for a very coarse variety
called “galleta” by the natives, which is some
times found in small patches. It says much for
the nutritive value of the mesquite bean that I
lost none of my animals, and only one mule
seemed to be suffering towards the end of the
time. Most of the low-lying country is covered
with the Sonoran grease-wood (Larrea triden
tata), a small green bush of no value at all; but
it is übiquitous throughout Sonora, except in the
mountains. But the really characteristic plant
in Seriland is the cactus, which abounds in a
variety of forms. They all have very long roots,
some of which descend thirty feet to fifty feet
to reach water. The stem itself is formed of
pulp, that grows round a wooden core, and this
serves as storehouse for the water they obtain,
while they are covered with a kind of glazed
epidermis to prevent evaporation, and are fur
nished with thorns, which effectually prevent
animals from feeding on them. The “saguarro’'
or giant castus (Cereus giganteus) is the most
Imposing, rising often to a height of fifty or sixty
feet. It may be seen in vast numbers over the
plains and on the lower part of the mountain
slopes, and It assumes an endless variety of
shapes, ranging from the single straight stem to
when they are In flower, for at the end of each
those containing fifteen or twenty arms. To
those who see them for the first time they cer
tainly present a remarkable sight, especially when
they are in flower, for at the end of each branch
they bear a wreath or crown of fragrant yellow,
rose or purple flowers. No less unusual are the
organ-pige cactus, or “pithahaya” (Cereus shot
ti). They grow in clumps of eighteen or twenty
stems, and reach a height of fifteen feet to
twenty feet. A rarer cactus is the blsnaga, a
smaller form of the saguarro; but it has one pe
culiar quality, which makes it very valuable both
to the Indians and to travelers in the country,
. for it Is the only plant from which water fit to
drink may be obtained. The best way is to cut
off the top and to crush the pulp within with a
piece of wood or stone. Two to four pints of
water can then be scooped out with a cup, the
amount depending on the size of the plant. Ex
cept for a rather sickly taste, the water is not
unpleasant.
There is another unusual plant also found in
this region—the “ocotillo” (Fouquiera splen
dens). This remarkable shrub, which sometimes
attains a height of fifteen feet, is composed of
a number of long, thin branches, covered with
thorns, and bears the most brilliant scarlet
flowers.
Once each year, just after the short summer
, rains, the country wakes from its long drought
to a belated spring.. Gay-colored flowers nod
among the rocks, and the cactus blossoms relieve
the otherwise somber landscape. But this change
in the face of the country is as transient as it is
in a land where there is
practically no rain, vegeta
tion would be very scarce,
beautiful, and the fresh verdure
soon fades to the neutral tints of
its accustomed hopeless aridity.
A few words must be said about
the fauna Tiburon Island is so
named because of the Immense
number of sharks that swarm Jhe
sea surrounding it. Pearl oysters
are found near the Punta Tepopa,
but the warlike character of the
Seri has prevented any fishery
from being established there.
There are many porpoises and im
mense numbers of green turtles,
while sea-birds of all kinds
abound.
Ab regards mammals, there are
said to be some sheep in the Seri
mountains; but I very much doubt
if they descend so far south, but
there are one or two scattered
bands of antelope and a few deer.
To counterbalance this lack of big
game, there are thousands of
black-backed rattlesnakes, side-
a moment into evanescent beauty till night wraps
it softly in a pall of velvet black oblivion.
h/saved three states.
Result of a Stormy Meeting In Oregon Territory
in 1843.
A few words of hurried conversation between
two French settlers had an important part in
deciding the question whether the far northwest
ern territory, from which the states of Washing
ton, Oregon and Idaho were formed, should be
long to Great Britain or the United States. A
monument at Champoeg, on the Willamette river,
now marks the spot where this interesting epi
sode took place. Theodore T. Geer, formerly
governor of Oregon, tells about it in his book,
“Fifty Years In Oregon,” and quotes from the
story of F. X. Matthieu, who saved the day for
the United States, Says the Youth’s Companion.
On a cloudy May day in 1843 102 settlers and
Hudson Bay trappers, coming from near and
far, crowded Into a log building at Champoeg, and
held a stormy meeting. The Americans stood for
an organized government and acquisition of the
territory by the United States. The Hudson Bay
men stood as firmly opposed, and when a vote
was taken it was hard to tell which had won,
since a good many on both sides were crowded
about the doors, unable to push their way Inside.'
A division was called for, and to make this
possible the men rushed out to the little half
acre field in front of the building. There every
body began gesticulating frantically and discus
sing the situation with great excitement.
“All in favor of the organization follow me!”
shouted Joe Meek, the famous pioneer and hunter,
striding to one side.
The Americans followed to a man. A count
disclosed the fact that there were 50 men with
Meek and 50 opposed, with two men, both French
men, between the opposing forces, not taking sides
and engaged in a very earnest conversation.
One of these, Etienne Lucier, had been led to be
lieve that heavy taxes would be levied on all prop
erty if the Americans organized a government.
The tax on a single pane of glass, he had heard,
would be 25 cents. The other, F. X. Matthieu
(who is still living in Oregon), was in favor of
organization.
“Anyway,” he said to his countryman, “you
know you have no window glass In your house
yet, and won’t have for a long time.” (Most of
the settlers used skins in place of glass ) “What
difference will it make? And it Isn’t so, anyway.”
The suspense lasted but a few moments. Then
the two men turned and took their places with
the Americans. While hats were flying In the
air and hand-shaking was going on the defeated
Hudson Bay men mounted their horses and rode
away, leaving the other party to organize a gov
ernment and later to establish in that wide ter
ritory three great states of the American Union.
SCENT AS AN INSOMNIA CURE.
Pine Needles and Rose Leaves in Pillow Excel
, lent Soporiflics.
Scent has other attractions than a mere ap
peal to the nose, London Answers states. Any
body, for instance, who suffers from insomnia
may find relief in perfumes.
Collect a number of fresh pine needles and fill
a bag with them; carefully rip open your pillow
and place the bag amidst the feathers In the pil
low. The perfume of the pines is often an ex
cellent soporific.
A bag of dried hops used in the same way is
just as good. Dried rose leaves, mixed with dried
clover heads, give out a delicious perfume and
help a weary one to woo the god of sleep.
A teaspoonful of eau de cologne in a warm bath
is most refreshing, while scent placed on the
forehead of any one who suffers from headache
generally gives relief.
SAW NO CAUSE FOR WORRY
Small Boy Pretty Well Satisfied That
the Future Was Not Likely to
Be a Hard One.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer says:
A Lakewood wom^n was recently
reading to her little boy the story of
a young lad whose father was taken
ill and died, after which he set him
self dillgeiitly to work to support him
self and mother. When she had fin
ished the story she said:
“Dear Billy, if your papa were to ■
die would you work to support your
dear mamma?”
“Naw!” said Billy, unexpectedly.
“But why not?”
“Ain’t we got a good house to live
in?”
“Yes, dearie —but we can't eat the ,
house, you know.”
“Ain’t there a lot o’ stuff in the pan
try?”
“Yes, but that won’t last forever.”
“It’ll last till you git another hus
band, won’t it? You’re a pretty good
looker, ma'!” •
Mamma gave up right there.
A HOT ONE.
He —My future was In your hands,
and you've decided. Now that you
have refused me, I’m going to the
devil. |
She—l’d suggest that you go some
where where you are less well known.
Absorbed.
A college professor noted for his
concentration of thought, returned
home from a scientific .meeting one
night, still pondering deeply upon the
subject that had been discussed. As
he entered his room he heard a noise
that seemed to come from under the
bed.
“Is there someone there?” he asked
absently.
“No, professor,” answered the in
truder, who knew his peculiarities.
“That’s strange,” muttered the pro
fessor. “I was almost sure I heard
someone under the bed.”
TO DBIVE OUT MALARIA
AND BUILD UP THE SYSTEM
Take the Old Standard GKOVMS TASTELESS
CII ILL TONIC, You know what you are taking.
The formula is plainly printed on every hottie,
showing it is simply Quinine and Iron in a tasteless
form, and the most effectual form. For grown
people and children, 60 cents. Adv.
Good Time to Do It.
“Is your daughter going to practice
on the piano this afternoon?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Well, then, I’d like to borrow your
lawn mower. I’ve got to cut the grass
some time, anyway.”—Judge.
i
ITCH Relieved in 30 Minutes.
Woolford’s Sanitary Lotion for all kinds of I
contagious itch. At Druggists. Adv.
It is easy for a girl to pretend to
love an old millionaire and fool him
into thinking it Is real.
winders, Gila
monsters (Hilo
derma horridum),
horned toads and
ants. But In trav
eling through the
country there is
little life to be
seen except an
occasional turkey
buzzard or a coy
ote slinking
through the cac
tus. The whole
country is deso
late and forbid
ding. Here and
there are clusters
of ruined huts,
sadly reminding
us that the Seri
were once numer
ous but are now
fast dying out.
Day by day the
sun passes in
blinding splendor
over the plains
and over these
deserted homes,
and evening by
evening the after
glow lays its long
fingers of rose
and amethyst
over the land
scape, transform
ing the scene for
RSMSTORU
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RAOTHDIA
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— .
r
|m in time. Sold by Drugirirte. jM
MSayrwj iii^LW.VLWjiiITVCM ’
i>l MI.J, XrJjy
THOUSANDS DIE EVERY YEAR
FROM RESULTS OF COLDS
TO NEGLECT A COLD IN THE BE
GINNING IS TO RUN A
PRETTY BIG RISK.
When the Liver Gets Lazy the Blood
Thicken* and the System Become*
Easily Susceptible to Cold
and Disease.
A severe cold is directly trace
able to an inactive liver. You get over
heated, and cool oft too suddenly; the
pores of the skin become closed, the
blood recedes from the surface of the
body and a congestion is produced.
The same conditions follow when you
sit in a draft, or get wet. The liver
finds its effort overcome by pressure
of the blood, and food remains in the
stomach or bowels. The head gets
hot, the feet cold and the bowels con
stipated. Right then and there is the
danger point. The bowels must be
kept open. The system must be re
lieved of congestion.
JACOBS’ LIVER SALT is the great
est known relief. It is better than
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send the blood racing through the
veins, dispel congestion and make you
feel as if life is worth living.
JACOBS’ LIVER SALT acts quick
ly and mildly, and never gripes or nau
seates. Don't take an inferior substi
tute. Large jar 25c at your druggist (by
mail 16c extra postage). Jacobs’ Phar
macy, Atlanta, Ga. Large free sample
and interesting booklet for 2c stamp.
Adv.
Never judge a man by his coat; he
may owe the tailor.
| To let malaria de- j
1 velop unchecked in f
« your system is not |
only to “flirt with Illi
death,” but to place I
\ a burden on the ,
I joy of living. |
® You can prevent malaria by regu-
- larly taking a dose of OXIDINE.
Keep a bottle in the medicino /
. ebeet and keep youreeif well.
h OXIDINE is sold by all drnlW .
Render the slricl guarantee that it the
first bottle does not benefit you. re- %
Mturn the empty bottle to the drujtiifi '
who sold.it, and receive THE FULL
PURCHASE PRICE.
I A SPLENDID TONIC M
IFYOIIH4VF —1
Malaria or Piles, Sick Headache, Costive
Bowels, Dumb Ague, Sour Stomach, and
Belching; if your food does not assimilate and
you have no appetite.
Tutt’s Pills
will remedy these troubles. Price, 25 cents.
rtnArucv cured, quick
1 i&tr fl 9 ■ RELIEF. Reduces
■ swelling 15 days.
Shortness of breath relieved in 36 hours,
COLLUM DROPSY REMEDY COMPANY
Dept. K, 512 Austell Bldg., Atlanta, Ga.
100 Engraved Calling Cards, SI.OO
100 Engraved Wedding Invitations, $6.50
Hand-copperplate engraving of the highest grade.
Samples free. Write The College “Co-0p.,”
Shelley Ivey, Manager, Atlanta, Georgia.
DEFIANCE STARCH
•Urcboa clotbea nicest
Ppadpfx of this P a Pe r tobuy
I\CaU vl 9 anything advertised in its col
umns should insist upon having what they
ask for.refusing all substitutes or imitations