OCR Text |
Show 148 that the entire coast was inhabited by vast numbers of Indians; at this day no remnant of the tribes remain to teli the history of their former numbers or greatness. In most of the graves examined, loose bones were found within 12 or 15 inches of the snrface; but it was only after digging in to a depth of 5 or 6 feet that skeletons in good condition, and snrrouuded by their implements and utensils, were found. The inference is, that the same ground had been dug over and over again, and used as a place of sepulchre; the layer of bones near the surface being of older date than those beneath, as the latter were nearly always found carefully deposited in a certain direction. From these graves we removed a vast number of articles, consisting in part of largo and small pots, or ollas, sculptured with artistic skill, from the kind of soapstone known, as steatite, or magnesia- mica, quarries of which material exist to the present day on Santa Catalina and Santa Rosa Islands, in Santa Barbara channel; mortars and pestles of sandstone, ornamented with lamina) of the abiloue- shell, ( Haliotis spen-dens,) fastened to the edges by asphal turn- some of these 26 inches in diameter and of a like depth; war- clubs, or emblems of authority, of sandstone, 30 and 40 inches in length; basius and cups of serpentine, and arrow and spear heads of flint. Many ornaments were found of shell, and quantities of glass beads, of European workmanship, which show that many of the burials have been subsequent to Cabrillo's appearance on the coast. I am informed by Dr. Charles Rau that these beads are of Venetian workmanship. Some few iron articles were also found, confirming the latter fact mentioned. From the graves about 10 or 15 tons of these articles were excavated, and it is thought they will prove of much value and interest. A fair representation of crania and bones was also obtained. In the explorations we were most kiudly assisted by the Rev. Stephen Bowers, of Santa Barbara, who for some time has paid particular attention to the study of the Indian graves of this part of the Pacific coast, and thanks are due to him for the interest manifested. Grateful thanks are also due to Messrs. Thomas W. More, Alexander More, and Joseph Park of La Patera, and to Mr. Welch of Dos Pueblos, upon whose properties the excavations were made. It is with no little satisfaction that reference is made to the extended collections secured. The constantly improving arrangements made for the better prosecution of the zoological and botanical work shows more and more how much can be accomplished at a trifling expense. The following schedule shows the numbers of specimens actually obtained. SCHEDULE. List and numbers of zoological specimens collected in 1874. Mammals, comprising alcoholics, skins, and crania 67 Birds, comprising alcoholics, skins, crania, sterme, nests, and eggs 1,450 Fishes, comprising alcoholics and skins 1,660 Reptiles, alcoholics 280 Insects, Orthoptera, ( grasshoppers,) 105 lots, probably 2,500 or 3,000 Coleoptera, ( beetles,) 60 lots, probably 2,000 or 3,000 J^ pidoptera, ( butterflies,) including Zygenidw and Bombycida* 428 Hymenoptera, ( wasps and bees,) 90 lots, probably 4,500 Diptera, ( flies,) 17 lots, probably •. 170 Hewiptera, ( bugs,) 67 lots, probably 1,500 Neuroptera, ( dragon- flies,) 41 lots, probably 200 Formicaries, ( ants,) 30 lots, probably 2,000 Arachnids, ( spiders,) 54 lots, probably 600 Mollusca, ( shells,) 22 lots, probably . 500 Worms, Leeches, and Crustacea, 52 lots, probably 600 In addition, about 200 crania of Indians were obtained, and a large collection of archaeological and ethnological material; 55 lots of modern articles, and 57 boxes of stone and other implements from the graves of Southern California. Of botanical specimens, about 9,000 were collected. All of which is respectfully submitted. H. C. YARROW, Acting Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., Surgeon and Zoologist to Expedition. First Lieut. GEO. M. WHEELER, Corps of Engineers U. S. Army, in charge. |