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diff --git a/old/55009-8.txt b/old/55009-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 583a880..0000000 --- a/old/55009-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4097 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Botanical Lore of the California Indians, by -John Bruno Romero and Ha-Ha-St of Tawee - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Botanical Lore of the California Indians - with Side Lights on Historical Incidents in California - -Author: John Bruno Romero - Ha-Ha-St of Tawee - -Release Date: June 30, 2017 [EBook #55009] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOTANICAL LORE--CALIFORNIA INDIANS *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - The - BOTANICAL LORE - of the - CALIFORNIA INDIANS - with Side Lights on Historical Incidents in California - - - by - JOHN BRUNO ROMERO - "HA-HA-ST OF TAWEE" - - [Illustration: Vantage Press Logo] - - VANTAGE PRESS, INC., NEW YORK - - COPYRIGHT, 1954, BY JOHN BRUNO ROMERO - _Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 54-8325_ - MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - _To My Uncle_ - Chief William Pablo - _of Mahum and Guana-pia-pa_ - - - - - Contents - - - _Page_ - Preface vii - The Story of the Indians of the Pacific Southwest 1 - Book of Herbs 6 - The Legend of Console Mineral Springs near Homuba Canyon 72 - Index of Herb Applications 77 - Index of Herbs 79 - - - - - Preface - - -Of all the books written concerning the Indians of North America, I -don't know of one which treats of the Indians' great knowledge of -medicine, the vast store which was theirs of plants and herbs which -possessed curative and healing qualities, many of them far superior, -even today, to the medicine used by the white physician. - -There is a reason. In some instances the white man did not get the -correct information from his Indian brother due to the latter's -inability to make himself understood--this was, of course, also true of -the former. Again, some information given was intentionally wrong due to -the ill-feeling the Indian had for the white man. And again, many of -those healing plants were held in such veneration by the Indians, that -to impart their virtues to a white man was an unpardonable crime, and -the punishment meted out to the offender was of the severest form. - -I am an Indian, proud of it and of my forefathers, whose bitterness -toward the white man was only too well justified. But time changes all -things and bitterness and hatred never made for understanding nor -happiness. - -In this spirit I wrote this book, in the spirit of doing good. And in -this I have the help and permission of my dear uncle, Chief Pablo, of -the Mahuna tribe of Indians of Southern California, who permitted me to -describe certain plants whose curative properties have been kept a -secret by the Indians for over one hundred years. This is the first time -they are made known. - -The Indian, living close to and with nature--the greatest teacher of all -for those who have eyes to see--became nature's most intelligent pupil. -Gifted with the keenest observation and the ability to reason, he -searched the discovered plants which nature herself had provided for any -ailment, sickness, or mishap which might befall him. - -I am sending this book out into the world not for fame, but as a -messenger of goodwill and peace. May it be received in this spirit and -accomplish its mission. - - - - - The Story of the Indians of the Pacific Southwest - - -A gruesome, terrible year, the year of 1825! The fatal year when -thousands of Indians of the Pacific Southwest were destroyed by that -merciless, frightful scourge, smallpox. And the tradition of its ravages -is kept alive even today among the descendants of the few who escaped -death. - -The tribal herb doctors at that time were wholly unprepared to combat -this disease which wrought such fearful havoc. Sweeping along the entire -Pacific Coast, it exacted a heavy toll of human lives, so heavy, in -fact, that the number of Indians destroyed exceeded that of the American -lives lost on the battlefields during World War I. - -The epidemic ravaged not only the Pacific Coast. It even spread over the -adjacent territories, carrying death everywhere it struck. - -Not until the end of that terrible year did some of the Indian herb -doctors begin to devote their attention to the disease. And then, -calling upon all there was in their knowledge of medicinal plants, the -chieftains, accompanied by their medicine men, held a council at which -the matter of curing this destructive disease was brought under serious -discussion. - -That memorable meeting took place in the world-famous Palm Canyon, -bordering the eastern slopes of San Jacinto Peak--better known to us by -its true native name of _Tahquitz_--situated at the extreme eastern part -of Riverside County. - -After the adjournment of the meeting the chiefs and medicine men -dispersed, returning to their respective tribes to resume their regular -duties, each one with instructions to study ways and means which would -effectively eradicate the scourge so greatly feared by all Indians. - -Now, among those who had attended the meeting was Senior Chief Andres -Lucero, of the Mahuna tribe, who was looked upon by all Indians as the -possessor of the greatest knowledge of botanical medicine, and a -master-teacher among his fellow tribesmen who rightly considered him as -being without a peer in his field--thorough research and -experimentation. In his experimental work he was more successful than -any other, having had many years of experience. In addition, he -possessed valuable medical knowledge which for centuries had been handed -down from generation to generation, each recipient becoming a true -master in the field of Indian medical science. - -The men trained in the science of medicine were those who had a natural -aptitude and inclination for the care of the sick--that is, men worthy -of being selected to be taught anatomy and the various ailments of the -human body. - -Evidence of this is to be seen in paintings and hieroglyphics found in -our Indian caves, which, in due time, it will be my duty to use in -photographic illustration in order to correct many erroneous -interpretations existing in collections and writings. - -To return to the beginning of our narrative, Andres Chino Pablo, while -deeply pondering one day on the problem of what to give his stricken -people, bethought himself suddenly of how in previous years he had -treated violent fevers. - -One was the fever which accompanied pneumonia and which was, at times, -fully as dangerous as any fever known to mankind. But it was easily -overcome through the administration of compounded herb steam baths. - -In the course of time "Black Measles" made, by mere accident, its first -appearance in the Pacific Southwest, again causing widespread terror -among the Indians. However, Chief Andres Lucero had already decided what -to do to check the epidemic. Standing calm and cool one morning and -facing the rising sun, he called his people to him, everyone, young and -old. Like a shaft of granite he stood, straight and erect, his eyes -scanning carefully each member of his tribe. At last, with tears in his -eyes, showing how deeply moved he was at the woe of his people, he -announced his decision. His words were few: - -"My sons and daughters, as the Great Spirit arises in the East, he comes -to help us and he has given me the medicine and the power to cure all -those of you who are sick. You will now go to the big cave where you -will receive proper care and treatment. All of you shall go, even those -who are not suffering from this devil's disease. And you will all be -treated alike so that your blood shall be purified to guard you against -the disease." - -In other words, to render them "immune," in our language of today. - -Now, one of the many caves in the San Jacinto mountain range, one which -formerly had been used for religious studies in Chino Canyon, was -converted into a cave-hospital and thousands of Indians were treated -therein. - -Due to the supposition, at the time, that the measles, then an unknown -malady among the Indians, was really another form of smallpox--the -diagnosis made didn't differ materially from the latter--the conclusion -arrived at was to treat the disease accordingly. - -A tireless and stubborn fight was waged by Chief Andres Lucero. Day and -night he labored indefatigably, not only attending to his people, but -also instructing other chieftains what to do and what to use, thus -letting them share in his success in healing the sick. - -Later on, the disease appeared in Twenty Nine Palms, in Borrego Valley, -Indio, Coachella, Yuma, Temecula, Mojave, Tehachapi, Soboba--in fact, in -all the small Indian settlements throughout the desert and mountain. -Chief Andres Lucero was extremely satisfied with the results of his -labors which had laid the cornerstone of knowledge and preparedness for -the year of 1859, when a true epidemic of smallpox made its appearance -again. - -Investigations revealed that the scourge had started (_Temamaka_) to the -north and had come (_Kichamba_) southward. Again the eye beheld the sad -scenes of dead human bodies strewn along the valleys and mountains. The -worst suffering was among the Indian tribes dwelling to the northward, -who had shown a complete disregard of Chief Andres Chino Pablo, and paid -no attention whatever to his messages and warnings. - -However, the Chief stuck to his post until he saw his people safe. Those -who died were comparatively few. The dead were those who, becoming -panic-stricken through memories brought to their minds of former -happenings, had fled into the desert. Had they but conquered their fears -and obeyed the Chief's orders, nothing would have happened to them. -Those were the victims of the plague--the deserters from the tribes. The -smallpox was kept well under control in the settlements with only a two -per cent death rate, which means practically nothing when compared with -a previous death rate of fifty per cent caused by the same kind of -plague. In some localities it rose to almost ninety per cent. Truly -those were dark days indeed for the American Indians. - -I shall now give, roughly, the medicinal plants used then and again in -the same manner in the year 1918 when the "Black Plague," commonly known -as "Spanish Influenza" was raging throughout the American continent and -Europe. It was a strange coincidence, indeed, that a great many of those -who escaped death from the enemy's bullets on the battlefield perished -from the "Black Plague." The Indians, however, again won their battle -against this frightful disease by the same means which had been employed -against measles and smallpox with no loss of life whatsoever. - -What a worthy and successful experiment it had proved to be under the -wise guidance of Chief Andres Lucero, of the Mahuna Indians of -Guana-pia-pa! He was truly a noble character whose labors, love for his -people, and self-sacrifice saved the lives of thousands of Indians, and -without whose loyalty and kindness to other tribesmen, the American -Indian in the Pacific Southwest would be an extinct race of people -today, with no one to tell what had actually taken place in the wild -mountain regions and the desolate desert, which were neither inhabited -nor trespassed upon by the white race. - -The Indians compounded steam-bath herbs for the cure of "Black Measles" -and smallpox from the following: - - Indian Name - _Artemisia tridentata_ Ulu-ca-hul-vall - _Larrea mexicana_ Ato-col - _Piperacea_ Chu-co-pot - _Eriodictyon glutinosum californicum_ Ta-que-bel - _Adiantum capillus-Veneris_ Tal-wal - -Herb tea given to the patients was made from the following: - - _Ephedra_ Tut-tut - _Sambucus pubens_ Haa-saat - -Please bear in mind that the Indian name Tut-tut bestowed upon the plant -_Ephedra_ means something that pertains to the very sacred in Indian -medicinal art. This sacred Indian name befitted the plant for the great -medical value it possessed and for the important part it played in -stamping out the horrible smallpox plague of 1857. - -Thus came about the saving of Indian lives. - -Help us save and preserve the wild plants for the benefit of mankind. - - Chief William Pablo, III - _Medicine Man_ - _Mahum and Guana-pia-pa_ - meaning: - _White Water and Palm Springs area, California_ - - - - - Book of Herbs - - - Stomach disorders, worms, dysentery, diarrhea, etc. - - - SISYRINCHIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM - (_Ind. Man-ta-ca_) - -Commonly known as Blue Star Flower Grass. Found widely distributed along -the rich southern slopes of the lower coastal ranges. Effective in the -treatment of functional affections of the stomach. In the form of tea, -the entire plant was used to eradicate all kinds of stomach worms. -Flowering season from March to April. - - - DIPSACUS GLUTINOSUS - (_Ind. Vaah-se-le-coo_) - -Known also as Monkey Flower, a plant not indigenous to any particular -soil, grows abundantly in California in the lower coastal ranges, and -also in the upper regions. Leaves, flowers, and stems were taken in the -form of tea, and effected a thorough cure in severe cases of diarrhea. - - - VITIS VULPINA CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. Esq-urana-quat_) - -Also called Wild Grape. It occurs mostly along rich river bottoms and -marshy soils generally. Usually associated with Wild Berry Vines. - - - RUBUS VILLOSUS - (_Ind. Pick-lam_) - -The Wild Blackberry. The roots of either of the two genera, boiled into -a tea and given the patient, will afford permanent relief in mild cases -of diarrhea. The roots may be gathered and used at any time of the year. - - - CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS - (_Ind. Pa-sil_) - -Also called Shepherd's Purse. Probably one of the most common of all -plants in Southern California soils, growing throughout the year on -irrigated lands and on arid soils. Boiled into a tea it is a certain -cure for even severe cases of dysentery. No more than two to three cups -should be taken. This little plant is a blessing to mankind and should -be made use of. It is the medicinal queen, and surpasses all others in -cases of dysentery and diarrhea. - - - HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES - (_Ind. Mo-cash_) - -American Pennyroyal. Considered as the greatest nuisance by farmers. As -a curative agent in severe cases of dysentery it ranks next to _Capsella -bursa-pastoris_. It is general throughout California, and blooms from -August to September. - - - ANTHEMIS NOBILIS - (_Ind. Sa-mat-pl-ol_) - -American Field Camomile. A very common plant growing everywhere in -California. It was used extensively for babies suffering from colic, and -also to regulate unsettled stomachs. - - - Painful congestion of the stomach. - - - MALVA ROTUNDIFOLIA - (_Ind. Mal-val_) - -American Common Mallow, compounded with blossoms of California Wild -Rose, or the seed. - - - ROSA CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. O-chul_) - -American California Wild Rose. This beautiful wild rose-bush inhabits -the coastal ranges, and may be found far inland along open spaces in -heavy woodland abounding in rather rich and mulchy soil. - -Used in cases of stomach fevers, the ripe seed is given in the form of -tea to relieve the stomach clogged with food as well as in so-called -cases of painful congestion. - - - MONARDELLA VILLOSA - (_Ind. Tah-lis-wet_) - -Skirting for its habitat the high mountain lands, it is very seldom -found anywhere else. It is a native of California, and is used chiefly -for the relief of ordinary stomach-ache. When in bloom it is very -fragrant and blossoms from late May till June. (American -Horsemint--sometimes called Pennyroyal) - - - Fevers and constipation of the stomach. - - - ERYTHAEA MUEHLENBERGII - (_Ind. Co-oniche-la-wa_) - -Its habitat is confined to a few localities in San Diego County, the -coastal regions in Santa Barbara, Orange County, and in San Bernardino -along the southern border of the Mojave Desert. - -It was used in the form of an infusion in cases of constipation caused -by fever of the stomach. - - - Fevers. - - - JUNIPERUS CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. Gla-wat-pool_) - -American Juniper Berry. Its habitat extends from our high mountain -ranges in northern San Diego County to Monterey County. The berries have -a short season, ripening in these regions from late in July until early -in September. They were used for making tea or simply chewed in cases of -La Grippe fevers. They may be gathered, dried, and stored for future -use. - - - Lung fevers. - - - PAEONIA BROWNII - (_Ind. Quel-ta-bat_) - -American Wild Peony. It inhabits shady canyons growing only on deep, -rich, decomposed mulch. The blossoms are of deep red color, and the -blooming season lasts from May until June. Its roots bear a strong -resemblance to young sweet potatoes and were gathered to be used in the -form of tea for complicated lung fevers. The tea has a decidedly bitter -taste. - - - Stomach fevers. - - - VERBENA HASTATA - (_Ind. Muy-u-vees_) - -American Wild Vervain. Inhabits the lower coastal ranges and pasture -lands. Its blooming period is from late in May until July. This plant is -remarkable for bearing three different colored blossoms--in some -localities white, in others, pink, and then again, blue--all this owing -to the mineral soil formation. The root is used for complicated stomach -fevers. - - - Fevers. - - - MORAJAUM - (_Ind. Saa-al_) - -Grows along rivers and lake borders. This plant, being of a semiaquatic -nature, resembles some of our wild orchids and blooms but a short -season. The entire plant is used in cases of fevers complicated with -headaches. - - - Eruptive Fevers. - - - SAMBUCUS PUBENS - (_Ind. Haa-sat_) - -American Elderberry. Indigenous to the coastal regions. The yellow -blossoms were extensively used by all Indian tribes only in cases of -measles. - - - MIRABILIS CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. See-wish-pe-yack_) - -American Four O'clock. The root of this plant served the same purpose as -American Elderberry. Its habitat is Santa Barbara County, Calif., and it -is not found anywhere else in a wild state. - -There are no records that it was used for other eruptive fevers such as -smallpox, scarlet fever, etc. These were introduced into this country -later on by white European adventurers and settlers, the first cases -being recorded in 1825. These diseases were greatly dreaded by the -Indians, and whenever any of them contracted this malady, they would -invariably vacate the locality they were in, and move many miles away to -virgin country. - -And, as a warning of danger to fellow tribesmen and to keep them away -from the abandoned camp, all the rock mortars and clay pots were turned -upside down and partly buried in the ground. - - - Plant poisoning. - - - GRINDELIA CUNEIFOLIA - (_Ind. Mie-chowl_) - -Grows in alkaline soils and its blooming season is from August to -September. The plant was used a great deal in cases of itching skin -eruption caused by poison oak, and is a cure for such disorders. -(American Gum Plant) - - - RHUS DIVERSILOBA - (_Ind. E-yal_) - -Botanical Serum. This is the poison oak itself, of which the roots, -during the dormant period, are cut and properly dried. When taken in the -form of tea in a quantity of not more than four ounces, it will render a -person immune against any further poisoning. This is a bona fide Indian -formula.[1] Blooming season from May to June. - - -[1]I ask my readers not to try this serum pending further laboratory - experiments. I plan to subject myself to exhaustive tests under - scientific observation and to publish the results. - - - Ulcers and diseases of the skin and feet. - - - ANTENNARIA MARGARITACEA - (_Ind. Te-bish-samat_) - -American Cotton Weed. Its habitat is all along the Southern California -hill slopes, and the beautiful pearly flowers are used for ulcers and -sores of the feet which fail to respond to treatment by other -medicaments. The blossoms must be boiled. The liquid obtained is used to -bathe the feet, and all parts of the skin affected. A very effective -cure. The blossoms are also ground into a powder and applied to the part -affected. - - - Burns. - - - SOLIDAGO NEMORALIS - (_Ind. Pa-co-se-cheeh_) - -American Western Goldenrod. Its habitat is the river and creek bottom -lands. Quite common in California, this plant has great healing power, -especially in cases of old raw burns that have failed to heal properly, -as well as major rotten ulcers. The leaves of the plant may be boiled -and the liquid used to bathe the affected parts; while the pulp, as a -poultice, is to be placed upon the burns and ulcers to promote -disinfection and to hasten a rapid growth of new healthy flesh. - -_Solidago nemoralis_ has one other great virtue of considerable value. -Two to three baths in a strong solution, prepared by boiling, will cure -the Seven-Year Itch and free the victim from that terrible malady. - - - Fistulas and running sores. - - - PENTSTEMON CORDIFOLIUS - (_Ind. Ting-gi-wit_) - -American Wild Fuchsia. A native of the coastal ranges, northward from -San Diego County to Monterey, Calif., this dark-green shrub is very -attractive to the eye. It bears an array of deep-red blossoms, -well-formed in clusters, at the very tip of long slender branches. It -was used as a poultice and a wash for fistulas and deep, pus-running -ulcers. - - - Eruptive scalp diseases. - - - EUPHORBIA - (_Ind. Te-mal-hepe_) - -A native of California, it is quite common on our inland fields. It is -used for minor skin eruptions and scalp diseases. Used as a wash only. -It blooms from early May to July. - - - AMBROSIA ARTEMISIFOLIA - (_Ind. Watch-ish_) - -American Common Ragweed. Grows in abundance in swamps and along -waterways. There are two distinct species of this worthy plant, the -dwarf variety and the gigantic kind. Either may be used for the same -purpose as mentioned for _Euphorbia_. In full bloom from July to -September. - - - How to retain the natural color of the hair. - - - ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA - (_Ind. Ulu-ca-hul-vaal_) - -American Common Sage. Habitat, the California desert. For a good many -years this plant has been used to restore the color of hair, but the -method used and practiced is far from that of our people, the Indians. -And this can be traced back to the misunderstanding of the people who -first introduced this use of sage for that purpose. Of course, washing -the hair with it as a scalp treatment will do no harm, because the plant -itself has soothing and healing qualities; but to maintain the natural -color of the hair, or to restore gray hair to its former color, one must -drink the infusion when compounded in the way we know. The plant blooms -from April to June. - - - Women's diseases. - - - ARTEMISIA CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. Hul-vaal_) - -Habitat, the coastal regions. The infusion made from this plant was used -a great deal in cases of vaginal trouble. Blooming period from March to -May. (American Wormwood) - - - RAMONA POLYSTACHYA - (_Ind. Qua-seel_) - -American White Salvia, playing a very important part in healing -internally and removing particles of the afterbirth. The infusion from -the roots was given to the patient to drink regularly in place of water. - - - LARREA MEXICANA - (_Ind. Ato-col_) - -American Creosote Bush. Its habitat covers the entire length and breadth -of the Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, and Riverside. This plant -was used in cases of cramps of the stomach due to delayed menstruation, -and in cases of this nature not more than one half of a cup of the tea -was drunk. This plant is in full foliage from May to October. - - - CHENOPODIUM AMBROSIOIDES - (_Ind. Epa-so-tee_) - -Its habitat is in swamp bottom lands. The root of the plant was used in -cases where the menstrual period had been overdue for five or as many as -ten days. The plant itself has a rather offensive odor, but the boiled -root is quite agreeable to the taste and very effective. The patient may -drink as much of the tea as desired. Blooming season from March to late -fall. (American Goosefoot) - - - CRACCA VIRGINIANA - (_Ind. Po-hiel_) - -American Garden Rue. A common garden shrub introduced into this country -at the beginning of the early mission days. - -Although the odor of this plant is quite disagreeable to the sense of -smell, the infusion is very rich in flavor and not bad at all. - - - Flesh-wounds, knife-cuts, etc. - - - ANEMOPSIS CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. Che-vnes_) - -American Swamp Root. Habitat, swamps. This plant is plentiful in -California--the territory where it grows wild could be measured in -thousands of acres. When cut, dried, and powdered, it can be used for -the disinfection of knife-cut wounds, and to draw and promote the growth -of healthy flesh. (Spanish _Yerba Mansa_) - - - GRINDELIA SQUARROSA - (_Ind. Tanga-wet_) - -Habitat, low, sandy loam soils. For above-mentioned purposes this plant -is very valuable from a medicinal standpoint, as it makes all wounds -respond quickly to healing, when used as a wash and for disinfection of -cuts. A wet pulpy poultice must be applied to the wounds for quick -results. The plant blooms from June to August. (American Gum Plant) - - - FRASERA - (_Ind. So-cat-llami_) - -American Deer Ears. Habitat, the high sierras and coastal ranges. The -infusion is used for the treatment of infected sores. - - - CARDUACEA - (_Ind. San-ca_) - -American Green Sage. Its habitat is the Mojave Desert, San Bernardino -County and north of the southern borders of the San Joaquin Valley. This -plant is very valuable, being very powerful and of great medicinal use, -and much attention should be given it by men of science. - -The Indians used it universally in cases of serious and major -wounds--the infusion being given the patient if symptoms of blood -poisoning were present. Tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw, was easily -overcome, thus eliminating the surgical operations so frequently -resorted to by the medical profession. The infusion was also -administered in cases of childbirth as a preventative of blood poisoning -and gangrene with _Ramona polystachya_. - - - OPUNTIA - (_Ind. Tu-nah_) - -American Cactus Pear. Its habitat, the desert and dry lands. This plant -was fully as important as _Piperacea_. The large leaves were scraped of -their thorns and a plug made out of the leaf, according to the nature of -the wound, and inserted into it, healing it quite rapidly--a first-class -piece of botanical surgery. - - - Healing. - - - PLANTAGO MAJOR - (_Ind. Pal-qua-ah_) - -American Plantain. Its habitat is swamps and localities where there is -abundant moisture. The plant, like many others, was used to dislodge and -draw deeply embedded poisonous thorns and splinters from the flesh. The -operation was quite simple. It consisted of applying a light coating of -suet on one of the leaves, this was covered with another leaf and then -placed, tied down firmly, over the thorn or splinter to be removed. It -usually requires about 10 hours for the thorn to appear at the surface -of the skin. The same procedure can also be used by persons who have -accidentally stepped on a rusty nail--thus avoiding danger of blood -poisoning. The simple poultice described above will prevent that. - - - CLEMATIS LIGUSTICIFOLIA - (_Ind. Chee-va-tow_) - -The California Clematis is a sister plant of the Eastern Clematis, a -very good healer in the treatment of skin eruptions, the infusion to be -used as a wash. - -Inhabits the mid-coast and inland ranges, and, to the east, the -territory where Daniel Boone's activities played their part and took -their place in American history. Nothing, however, is mentioned about -this plant at the time the Indians were pursuing him in the wilds of -Kentucky, and yet it was one of the strong vines of _Clematis_ which -enabled Daniel Boone to escape and save his life by cutting it with his -hunting knife above ground and hurling himself far out, thus putting the -Indians off his track. - -Myself an Indian, I have always admired Daniel Boone for his cool -presence of mind. He was brave and fearless, although not a showman like -Buffalo Bill and others whose exploits were chiefly founded on personal -motives. - - - Coughs, colds and sore throat. - - - RUMEX HYMENOCALLIS - (_Ind. Ca-na-ma_) - -American Wild Rhubarb. Thrives in dead, sandy soils, and is very common -throughout Southern California. The roots are long and bear a close -resemblance to sweet potatoes. The infusion made from it has an acrid -taste, and, when used as a gargle several times in cases of cough and -sore throat, it will be found to give complete relief. The plant blooms -in June and July. - - - PRUNUS SEROTINA - (_Ind. Is-lay_) - -American California Wild Cherry. At home in the high mountain ranges. An -infusion of the bark in spring or summer while the sap is running, or of -the roots in winter when the tree is dormant, may be used for common -coughs. - - - PRUNUS ILICIFOLIA - (_Ind. Is-lay_) - -Holly-Leaf Cherry. Used for the same purposes as _Prunus serotina_. - - - SPIRAEA SALICIFOLIA - (_Ind. Ha-ba-ba-neek_) - -American Queen of the Meadows. Its habitat is the low coastal ranges. -The root of the plant was used for common coughs and chest colds. - - - EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM - (_Ind. Sa-ca-pe-yote_) - -American Joe-Pye Weed. It was used for the same purpose as _Spiraea -salicifolia_ in localities where that plant couldn't be obtained, -although the latter was greatly preferred for the extra medicinal -qualities it possessed as a mild laxative. The root, when made into an -infusion, is extremely pungent and rich in flavor, but agreeable in -taste to most people. - - - MARRUBIUM VULGARE - (_Ind. O-o-hul_) - -American Horehound. Its habitat is the woodland. Although the infusion -made from the leaves and flowers is rather bitter, it is very good for -ordinary coughs and sore throats. - - - Old dry coughs. - - - AUDIBERTIAS STACHYOIDES - (_Ind. Seel_) - -American Black Sage. This plant is one of the most valuable of all for -the cure of deep dry coughs of long standing, which have settled in the -bronchial tubes. This does not mean coughs of two or three weeks' -duration, but those which have existed for a period of from four to six -months and which have, therefore, reached a chronic, dangerous stage. - -The infusion was made full strength and given to the patient in small -doses, hot--never cold--in the daytime, and one extra big dose before -retiring. - - - Blood hemorrhages of the lungs. - - - DENNSTAEDTIA PUNCTILOBULA - (_Ind. Ma-ciel_) - -American Hay-Scented Wild Fern. Its habitat lies in the high California -mountain ranges. We are now coming to the tuberculosis line. Hemorrhages -of the lungs, and common diseases which prevail to a great extent among -people who, through neglect and irregular habits, intensify coughs and -colds. - -It was nothing to an Indian to overcome these maladies of the lungs, -which in his case were usually due to accidental injury. This wild fern -bears oil nodules on the crown of the root system and they are available -only at a certain period, from May to June. - - - Coughs and asthma. - - - ERIODICTYON GLUTINOSUM CALIFORNICUM - (_Ind. Tan-que-bel_) - -Commonly known as _Yerba Santa_, this plant proved to be possessed of -great medicinal merits, and was very soon adopted by the mission friars -for its outstanding qualities in the cure of coughs, asthma, rheumatism -and pneumonia, being rightly considered as far superior in this respect -to any of the other medicines brought by them from Europe. In fact, so -great was the medicinal usefulness of these plants and hundreds of -others known to the Indians, that they soon became the objects of study -and investigation, which, however, met with failure, due to the severe -punishment meted out to any and all Indians for divulging any secrets -pertaining to the medical history of plants used by the tribes. A -penalty which was sufficient to deter them from any further misdeeds in -that direction, and which they always remembered. Quite a contrast to -the modern, elastic laws of our present civilization. - - - ERIODICTYON CALIFORNICUM - (_Ind. Que-bel_) - -American White Woolly Holly Plant is the sister plant of _E. -glutinosum_. - - - Cathartics. - - - ERIOGONUM ELATUM - (_Ind. Pa-va-coneel_) - -American Bottle-Weed. Its habitat lies in the volcanic regions of the -Mojave Desert. This plant is rather peculiar in its growth, thriving on -poisonous volcanic soils, where no other form of plant life can exist. -The Indians of the desert regions used the plant as a physic, and it -outranks _Rhamnus californica_ in this respect. The mission friars -overlooked this plant for the reason that none of them ventured that far -into the desert, valuing their lives above everything else. - -The infusion obtained from the plant was used in very minimum doses, and -when unable to do that, a small branch was cut and a very small piece -was chewed by the constipated person. - - - RHAMNUS CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. Hoon-wet-que-wa_) - -American Coffee Berry. Its habitat is the canyons of high mountain -ranges along waterway banks. - -The bark was stripped off the trees, shade-dried and then ground in a -_ca-wish-pat-os-vaal_, meaning the stone mortar and pestle generally -used in those days, and even by druggists today, though made of -different material. The prepared powder was used to a great extent at -full strength in cases of constipation, and was administered in -well-measured doses, but not in excess. - -Owing to its medicinal properties this tree-plant was introduced into -European countries where it gradually became the outstanding cathartic -of all. - -And this is the _Rhamnus californica_, the medicine of the Indians, -named by Junipero De Serra _Cascara sagrada_--"Sacred Bark." - - - Kidneys. - - - EQUISETUM HYEMALE - (_Ind. Po-po-ot_) - -Its habitat is confined to swampy lands. This plant is very fond of -water, and attains a very vigorous growth under these conditions. Due to -its aquatic nature, the plant, when fully matured, was gathered, -shade-dried and an infusion made which was used solely in the treatment -of prostate gland trouble. (American Horsetail) - - - EPHEDRA - (_Ind. Tut-tut_) - -Its habitat is the desert lands of California, northwestern Arizona, and -Nevada. - -This evergreen, shrubby plant was held in high esteem by all the -Indians, and a good supply of it was always kept on hand for general -use. The infusion made from it was used regularly to flush the kidneys. -The tea is of a very delicious taste. A person cannot help liking it, -and it also helps to purify the blood. (American Tea of the Indian) - - - PELLAEA ATROPURPUREA - (_Ind. Cala-wala_) - -American Purple Cliff Brake Fern. Its habitat: the high mountain ranges. -This useful little fern grows abundantly on most of the limestone -formations and is seldom found anywhere else. Like _Ephedra_ it makes a -delicious tea, which is used more or less for the same purpose, to flush -the kidneys and to tone and thin the blood in severely hot summer -weather as a preventative against sunstroke. - - - Blood pressure, sunstroke. - - - ERIOGONUM ELONGATUM - (_Ind. Te-ve-na-wa_) - -This plant is an inhabitant of the Mojave Desert. There are two -different varieties, one of them being quite common on arid lands and -side hills along our coastal highways. The other is the best, however, -and, as a blood tonic, compares very favorably in medicinal worth with -all others recommended. - -The latter was used by the Indian for special cases of high blood -pressure and hardening of the arteries. - -It was generally used by Indian runners, and taken before and after a -long-distance run over rough country. - - - Sedatives. - - - VERONICA OFFICINALIS - (_Ind. Ca-wish-hubel_) - -American Speedwell. - - - MENTHA SPICATA - (_Ind. Ga-vish-ho-ba-jat_) - -American Garden Spearmint. Habitat, the lower marshy coastal regions. - - - ILYSANTHUS BRACHIATUS - (_Ind. Samat-hubel_) - -American Mountain False Pennyroyal. - - - MENTHA CANADENSIS - (_Ind. Samat_) - -Both _Ilysanthus_ (above) and _Mentha Canadensis_ inhabit the high -mid-coastal ranges and are frequently found lining the borders of -mountain streams in beautiful settings of wild ferns. (American Mint) - - - MICROMERIA DOUGLASII - (_Ind. Ya-mish-hubel_) - -Mint Family. A rare plant and found only in a few localities on the -mid-coastal ranges, as in Orange County, San Juan Capistrano, at Hot -Springs, situated on the southern slopes of the Trabuco mountains, Los -Angeles County, Fish Canyon, Pasadena in Santa Barbara County, the heavy -woodlands of Montecito Valley and in the Old Spanish Grand Rancho, San -Leandro. It is also found northward as far as San Francisco at Angel -Islands. The infusion was taken to soothe the nervous system in cases of -insomnia. - - - Catarrh of the head and nasal chambers. - - - PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS - (_Ind. Ci-vil_) - -American Sycamore. It is an inhabitant of the California mountain -ranges. The underside of its leaves bears a very fine yellowish moss, -which the beautiful little hummingbirds like to use for building their -tiny nests. In fact, they prefer it to any other material on account of -its extreme softness. - -These leaves are valuable as an effective cure for old chronic cases of -catarrh, when the catarrh has passed into internal ulcers, which -continually discharge material of an offensive odor. - -The moss scraped from the underside of the leaves, carefully and -patiently enough to have a sufficient supply to compound it with the dry -powdered yolks of the eggs of quail and an infusion of _Andromeda -polifolia_ was also made and used as a nasal douche, to cleanse the -conduits, followed afterwards by sniffing the powdered compound before -retiring for the night. - - - HELENIUM AUTUMNALE--HELENIUM NUDIFLORUM - (_Ind. Pe-bah_) - -American Sneeze-Weed. Both inhabit swamps and mountain springs. - - - ANDROMEDA POLIFOLIA - (_Ind. Ho-bef-zo-bal_) - -American Moorwort. This is found only at very high mountain altitudes. - - - Toothache and pyorrhea. - - - ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM - (_Ind. Pas-wat_) - -American Yarrow. This plant bears a strong resemblance to the Wood -Betony, which is poisonous, and both may, in their wild state, be found -side by side in the same locality. It is indigenous to the mid-coastal -range woodlands. - -Persons suffering from a severe toothache can cut the tips of the leaves -of _Achillea millefolium_, roll them into a small pellet and insert it -into the cavity of the aching tooth. You will be surprised how quickly -the pain disappears. - - - ERIOGONUM - (_Ind. Pas-vaat_) - -This inhabitant of the Mojave Desert, with its golden yellow flowers, is -a treat to the true lover of nature. Its blooming season is in its full -glory during the month of October when everything else in the way of -flowering trees and shrubs is lying dormant. Thousands of acres in the -desert may be seen carpeted with this golden color, blending with that -of autumnal foliage and geological soil formation which also glows in -many tints, offering wonders of inspiration to the artist--the greatest -interpreter of the works of nature next to the botanist, geologist and -naturalist. - -For centuries _Pas-vaat_ has been used by the Indians to keep the roots -of the teeth and the gums in a state of health. Whenever pyorrhea was -present and the teeth threatened to become loose, an infusion of the -flowers and leaves of the plant was made and regularly used as a -mouthwash. Although its taste is very bitter, holding the liquid in the -mouth for a few minutes daily will prevent and cure pyorrhea and tend to -the firm setting of the teeth. - - - QUERCUS RUBRA - (_Ind. Qui-neel_) - -American Red Oak. The juice obtained from the bark is a very efficient -means for straightening and setting loose teeth, but it has no effect on -pyorrhea. - - - PERSEA and VANILLA PLANIFOLIA - -American Avocado, or Alligator Pear. Our Indian brothers of the North -Central American states use the seeds of the avocado in the treatment of -pyorrhea, although only in the form of powder. It is very good and -efficient for toothache, as is also an infusion made of the vanilla -bean. - - - Fever and chills. - - - ROSA GALLICA - (_Ind. Mal-va-pol_) - -American _Malva rosa_. This rose tree has to some extent been the -subject of discussion among some of our botanical explorers and the -result was always one of indecision. - -Now let us look back a few years before the founding of the California -Missions, and thus settle the dispute for all time. Twelve miles -eastward of the Santa Barbara Mission is a small village by the name of -Carpenteria, and at one time, this village was one of the largest Indian -settlements in existence. - -Before the arrival of the mission friars this place was a dense forest -of the giant elm, _Ulmus pubescens_, a tree which is very soft and easy -to work and the Indian settlement became the scene of great -boat-building activity. The biggest and best trees were selected, hewed -out and shaped into boats, and their boats were later used to navigate -from Santa Barbara across the channel to Santa Rosa Island and other -points. The Indians traded with the inhabitants of these islands, and -thus they attained a great deal of magnetic iron in exchange for the -wild products of the Pacific coast mainland. The magnetic iron was of -general use among the Indians, being made into hammers, axes, scraping -and cutting knives, fighting weapons, etc., all made in true Indian -mechanical design. - -Other valuable rock materials were also traded for, such as obsidian for -arrowheads and small mortars, metates made of the volcanic rock found on -the islands, and also ironwood. These were all materials much preferred -by the Indians to those of the mainland, which were rather unfit to -shape into stone utensils because they did not have the proper cleavage. -The Santa Barbara mountain ranges offered none of these materials--only -the minerals, Ullmannite, Oligocene rock and red jasper which sometimes -served as passably fair substitutes. - -Referring again to the trade articles of the island of Santa Rosa, the -Indians, like their white brothers, liked to change and use different -medicines. While navigating the rough sea across the Santa Barbara -channel in their little boats, some of them would sometimes catch cold -from getting wet and being exposed to cold winds. When reaching the -islands some would have a high fever and chills, and then aid was given -them in the form of _Malva rosa_, this being the plant used to break up -the fever. And it will do so if properly administered. The Indians had -so much faith in its value that they brought some of the seeds to the -mainland where they were planted. - -Later, on its introduction among other Indian tribes of the coastal -belt, the plant found its way north- and southward until the coming of -the California mission founders. They learned of the plant's medicinal -value through Indian information, and were only too glad to adopt it for -their own use--that plant and many others which proved superior to those -brought by them from Europe and which they then discarded. - -Thereupon the friars adapted themselves to the care and use of the herbs -of the Indians. - -This is the story of the _Malva rosa_ after which the island of Santa -Barbara bears its name _Santa Rosa_, or "Holy Rose," and botanically -_Rosa gallica_. - - - Fractures. - - - ULMUS PUBESCENS - (_Ind. He-wa-wa_) - -American Elm. We have seen that the beautiful elm was used by choice as -a light, soft boat-building material. It played also a very useful and -important part in the adjustment and healing of broken and fractured -arms or legs. The work was very simple and effective. The patient was -placed in bed, or what was known in those days as the _un-wet_, meaning -bearskin mattress, to lie down and rest till the Indian runners returned -from the forest with the stripped bark of the elm, which was very -carefully selected and had to be free of woody knots, with the inner -side of the bark as smooth as silk. These large strips were cut to mould -and fit clear around the broken bones, then tied with wet buckskin. This -was done to allow contraction of the buckskin with that of the green -juicy bark of the elm, while the fevered and swollen joint absorbed the -juice of the bark. - -Care was taken to add more juice extracted from the tree to the bark -strips to prevent quick contraction which would be very painful, due to -swelling and counterpressure from the drying bark. The time involved in -healing broken bones could well be considered two thirds of the time -taken under the hands of modern skilled surgeons. - -In parts of the country where the elm wasn't available a freshly killed -rabbit, its skin quickly removed and slipped onto the broken joint -served equally as well, only it required more time to heal. - - - Blood specific, purifier and tonic. - - - FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS - (_Ind. Gaiesh-pohl_) - -American Desert Candlewood. Spanish, _Ocotillo_. This plant's habitat is -the southeastern wings of the Mojave Desert, and the locality best -suited to its growth is Borrego Valley at the northern border of San -Diego County. This great valley, at one time very rich and fertile, was -used by the Indian tribes of Chief Hobo-yak of Ca-we for the raising of -considerable livestock. This particular spot commanded an extensive view -of the desert territory, as well as the mountain peaks surrounding it. -From the top, a clear view could be obtained toward north, northeast and -southeast to the Mexican border, and it afforded a natural fortification -for the aggressive Ca-we Indians. - -There still remain a few of the sand-dune forts heavily overgrown with -creosote bushes. These forts are deeply recessed, formed in the shape of -a horseshoe, its outlet serving as an entrance at the same time. -Pointing northward toward the high mountain ranges, the graves, or -burialground of the Indians, are located just outside of the fort and a -few feet to the left from the outlet on a well-arranged plot of ground. - -The interment was simple. After a grave had been dug, it was filled with -dry wood and set on fire until a good bed of charcoal was attained; -after which, the defunct together with his belongings was placed upon it -and left to burn as the grave was covered. - -Cremation took place slowly but surely. - -Little evidence was left for the grave robber or the anthropologist. And -still less for the archaeologist, as the defunct's pottery and rock -mortars also were disposed of by being broken into thousands of pieces, -and then scattered over the grave. - -There is more to be said about this historical valley in that it was the -main artery of caravan travel of the intrepid American and Mexican -pioneers, and of the Spanish explorers, who all in turn were met and -held up by the Indians for information. Those not offering resistance -were allowed to pass through the territory unmolested--provided, of -course, they wouldn't hang around the valley. - -However, quite a number of bloody battles took place there, between -Indians and whites, as the latter, having had some experience with -hostile Apaches when crossing the desert, misunderstood the signals of -the Ca-we Indians. Instead of waiting to see what they wanted, the -leading scouts of the caravan ordered every man to stand by and, as the -Indians came near, they opened fire on them. This didn't prove of -benefit to the pioneers and only resulted in disaster, thus putting an -end to their journey. - -Even to this day many of their belongings are kept well secured in the -bosom of Borrego Valley. Sand dunes uncovered now and then by desert -winds prove there is a possibility of their all being recovered in time -and preserved as historical relics of days gone by. - -At the northwest end of the valley are the historical camp grounds of De -Anza, the Spanish explorer, who was the only one ever known to have put -up camp in the valley in those days. - -And this marked the beginning of darker days for the Indians. First came -the Spaniards, then the Mexicans and last the American gringos. They all -passed there, but none had the least suspicion of what was to take place -in the future. De Anza, while resting up for a short period, explored -among the surrounding mountains in search of a pass which would lead -westward. In this the Indians helped him by pointing toward the Pacific -coast. De Anza reported to his superiors the finding of emeralds, but in -this he was mistaken as the precious stones found in those mountains are -mostly tourmalines in a great variety of tints, including green. This -probably accounts for De Anza's naming them emeralds. They also occur in -red, pink, yellow, white and black, with spodumene crystals in violet -and purple. - -The floor of the valley also yields carnelian milky quartz, bloodstones, -as well as fossilized wood and jasper. These beautiful precious stones -have found a place among the gems of the world and are well-known among -mineralogists. In the traditional history of the Indians, De Anza is -still remembered for the discipline and control he kept over his men, a -fact which greatly facilitated his progress. And his goodwill and -kindness toward the Indians were of the purest humaneness, standing out -brightly as attributes of genuine manhood. Very few Spaniards could -boast of such qualities--they ordinarily were brutal, and their history -was written in blood in those days. - -The Mexican soldiers who arrived later, by way of this valley, committed -frightful excesses among the Indians, even assaulting and outraging the -fair daughters of Ca-we. A horrible tragedy marked the sequel to those -days of terror and bloodshed. - -Then, in the rising dust on the northeastern horizon appeared a -newcomer, General Kearny, in command of his gallant dragoons, following -the course De Anza had taken. He had no trouble making the pass as his -men were under strict military discipline and the blue uniforms worn by -officers and troopers caused much admiration among the Indians. Little -did they know, however, that behind this army was a power and authority -which could be exercised without cause or provocation in the name of the -government of the United States--and that was exactly General Kearny's -mission: to retake the lands held by the Mexicans as their own at San -Pasqual. He became engaged in a heated battle with Mexican soldiers and -civilians and his casualties were so heavy that he faced defeat. As a -last resort, he appealed to the Indians chiefs for help, and the Ca-we -Indians, remembering only too well the atrocities and brutalities -committed upon their women by the soldiers of Mexico, granted the -General's request and dispatched five hundred warriors to aid General -Kearny. - -Arriving at the battlefield, the Indian braves attacked the Mexicans -from all sides, thus saving the day for General Kearny who had but a few -of his men left. - -As to the kind of report he made to the War Department, and whether he -took all the credit for having won this bloody battle whereas, by -rights, the Indians alone were responsible for the victory, is not known -to us. But we have every reason to believe that the report was in his -favor in order to shield the command from embarrassment were it to -become known that Indian aid and tactics had been the deciding factor. -At any rate, up to the present time, Indian records don't show any -letter of acknowledgment ever having been received from the United -States Government for the service rendered General Kearny. - -Instead of receiving at least a "Thank you," they were from that time on -looked upon as "easy," believing anything that was told them--and this -was proved to their own satisfaction in 1851-52. No doubt some of our -fellow citizens do not know what this means. Therefore, to elucidate a -little, let me say that this was the time when a benevolent government -sent a very able regiment of politicians out here in command of a few -army engineers. - -These engineers executed their commission in a first-rate manner and -negotiated and signed 18 treaties with the signatures also of 400 Indian -chiefs. And the Indians turned over more than one hundred million acres -of fertile lands to the government, leaving a reserve of ten million -acres to the Indians. The larger acreage was to be paid for, as per duly -signed agreement, at the rate of $1.25 per acre, and to this day the -Indian is still waiting for it. The politicians, however, lost no time -but took over as much as they could of these rich Indian lands and -eventually the entire open country was known as the Ranch of Senator -"This," or Senator, Congressman, or Colonel "That." - -That the longest road has a turning was proved by the battle of San -Pasqual: it opened the Indians' eyes to many things--such as, that had -they but stayed out of it or used our forces otherwise, a different -story would be told. The Indians were expelled from the Borrego Valley. -We need no explanation here that they were good strategists and fighters -and their holdings there were needed for the purpose mentioned. The -valley has been donated by these patriotic and liberal politicians to -the State of California and, by law, has become its property, and a -state park. - -And from high on its mountain top, the men of Ca-we may look down into -the valley and think of its past history with an ache in their hearts. -Only a few make a yearly trip there, for the purpose of gathering a -goodly supply of medicinal plants and the _Ocotillo_ or Indian -Poinsettia Candlewood. - - - Blood tonic. - - - SALIX WASHINGTONIA - (_Ind. Ke-cham-ka_) - -American Willow Tree. This is a common inhabitant of most of our swamps -and rivers and is occasionally met with far inland. Like the elm tree, -it is very fond of water, and both species may be found growing together -in the desert or dry mountain gorges. We should, therefore, always look -for such places when in want of water--for it is sure to be close to the -surface and can be had by digging a few feet underground. - -The Indians, when traveling across country, always stopped at such -places where these trees were growing, and water was obtainable very -quickly in sufficient quantities for domestic use. Don't get discouraged -if you don't find water seepages on the surface. You must remember that -the elm and the willow growing around that ancient fountain consume most -of the water coming upward to the surface. - -These sources of liquid supply were once the watering places for -migratory birds flying east or northward, and by means of their -droppings these trees became habitants of these wild regions. - -Concerning the medicinal value of the willow tree, the Indians would -take the leaves and pound them in the stone mortar, after which the pulp -was put into water where it was allowed to remain a few hours. The -liquid was then taken like any other beverage, the patient first having -taken a bath to prevent a cold, and to keep the blood at the proper -temperature. - -The tea has a decidedly bitter taste. During the dormant season of the -trees when the leaves were not available, the bark was stripped from the -tree and served the purpose just as well. - - - TABARDILLO - (_Ind. Pees-wel_) - -This strawberry-leaved plant grew in our time in abundance throughout -the lower coastal ranges and valleys; but when the white pioneers in the -early days began clearing the land for agricultural purposes, it marked -the destruction of this and other valuable plants also. - -Therefore, this plant is now totally extinct in the lower coastal -plains, but still available in a few remote places in the higher ranges, -where it is gathered by the Indians for home use. - -Tea is made from the plant, and all the members of the family partake of -it for at least one full month each year. - -The infusion made from the root is of a clear, wine-red color, and is -extremely beneficial as a blood tonic. - - - HOSACKIA GLABRA - (_Ind. Su-cot_) - -American Deer Grass. Inhabiting the high coastal ranges, this beautiful -little flowering grass when in bloom, during the month of May, appears -to be almost a massive bouquet of carnations among the greenery of the -mountain slopes. - -Deer are frequently found foraging in places where the _Hosackia glabra_ -grows, as they are very fond of the grass, and the Indians, as a rule, -pick such localities to hunt in. - -The infusion made from the plant is rather aromatic and, if taken -regularly, it will help to build up the blood. - - - Antidote. - - - PIPERACEA - (_Ind. Chu-co-pat_) - -Habitat, rich northern mountain slopes. It grows mostly in underbrush, -but is sometimes found on cleared land. It was gathered, dried and then -ground in the rock mortar to a very fine powder, for use when our people -exchanged poisoned arrows for bullets on the field of battle. Our -poisoned arrows were more effective than bullets, as a scratch would -send an enemy to eternal rest. Today we still use this plant in the -treatment of trachoma, and rattlesnake, black-widow and scorpion bites. -(American Pepper Plant) - - - Poison. - - - ESCHSCHOLTZIA CALIFORNICA - (_Ind. Tee-snnat_) - -American Golden Poppy. The true native flower of our western domain--the -flower of the beautiful, rich golden color. However, being a poisonous -plant, the poppy fields were of no use to the good morals and medical -practice of the Indian doctors in the days gone by. But the notorious -witch-doctor, having more of the devil in him than of anything else, -made general use of this plant to compound some of his poisonous -medicines in his irregular and evil practice. This may be strange to -learn, but we had its counterpart among other races--the white race -included--where witchcraft with its incantations, love potions and -straight poisoning of humans played quite a role. And so it was here -among the Indians. For instance, if a woman became enamoured of a -certain man and the object of her affections paid no attention to her -advances, whether his regards were already placed in some other quarter, -or for other reasons, this was sufficient for the woman who, having had -her immoral desires thwarted, resorted to the witch-doctor. He would -compound a preparation with the poppy as one of its main ingredients. -This was then given to the innocent victim with the help of a second or -third party, either in a solid or liquid form, and in less than -twenty-four hours after partaking of it the poor fellow's mentality -became befogged and powerless, and was thus easily controlled by the -evil woman. - -When such a case was brought to the attention of the chief of the tribe, -orders were given to bring the malefactors in to be tried before the -rest of the chiefs. - -The leaders of this evil practice, if found guilty, were condemned to -exile, and, under a guard of warriors, taken far out into the desolate -desert with the death penalty hanging over them, should they ever -return. - -The poisoned victim was placed in the hands of the tribal doctor who -gave him an antidote which counteracted the poison given by the -witch--something which no white doctor has been able to do in spite of -his knowledge of medical science and chemistry. Cases of such nature -have happened among Indians and yet the patient's normal state of mind -and health was restored. - - - ASTRAGALUS MOLLISSIMUS - (_Ind. Po-gat_) - -American Locoweed. A good many years ago this poisonous plant was -powdered and used to dope race horses, as the Spaniards were very fond -of this sport of kings. And since they were the great landowners when -the Americans began to come in, this sport became more popular than -ever. Money was wagered against large tracts of the Mexican-Spanish -lands in behalf of their favorite horses, and at times amounted to many -hundreds of acres of the richest and most fertile land. It was this very -poisonous _Astragalus mollissimus_ that was responsible for the -transference of large Spanish and Mexican grants into the hands of -Americans. - -The Indians, being well-informed and cognizant of the fraud being -perpetrated at the expense of their good friends, revealed to them the -tactics employed and, for a small compensation, offered to recover for -them some of their losses. This offer was gladly accepted and, in -consequence, the Mexican landowner would again challenge the former -American winner, whereupon a date was set for the race. - -Under cover of night the Indian would watch over the horse that was to -run until the day of the race, when he would appear in order to redeem -his promise. Although this may cause surprise, it was only a little -Indian trick, playing its part of revenge on deceiving, dishonest -persons. - -It was clean, honest revenge, not requiring the poisoning of one of our -most highly valued domestic animals, and this is how it was done. - -The Indian rider concealed under the bosom of his buckskin shirt two -pieces of skin, one from a fresh bearskin and the other from that of a -mountain lion. When both riders were lined up for the race and right at -the moment of taking off, the Indian, with a quick jerk, would pull both -skins--which were hanging on a string--from under his shirt and his -opponent's horse, quickly scenting them, would stop and balk, throw up -his head and look fearfully around in all directions. - -The Indian made the wire easily and thus the other horse's deceiving -owner lost the race and also his ill-gotten gains, proving again that -crime, in any form, doesn't pay in the long run. - - - Hair tonic, hair and scalp diseases. - - - LARREA MEXICANA - (_Ind. Ato-col_) - -American Creosote Bush. I have mentioned the use of this shrubby bush in -the beginning for another disease. It was used by the Indians for -various maladies which I shall describe toward the end of the book. - -The plant was one of the principal herbs used to eradicate dandruff and -the infusion, when used as a hair-wash once a week for a period of about -two months, will be found enough to rid a person of dandruff thoroughly. -Its one drawback, if any, is that it will make the hair coarse, although -on the other hand, very strong. It was also used as a disinfectant and -deodorizer of bodily odors by sponging the body with the full-strength -infusion. - - - LOPHOPHORA WILLIAMSII - (_Ind. Am-mool_) - -American Desert Agave or Button Root. Indigenous to the Mojave Desert, -San Bernardino County, East Riverside County and the Borrego Valley -situated at the northern end of San Diego County, and thence -southeastward to the Mexican border. The Indians made special trips to -places where this plant grew, and spent several weeks at a time in -harvesting it. The root is very important and yields the proper -ingredients to compound one of the finest hair tonics known--greatly -superior to the best on the American market of today. - -After gathering the plants, the Indians roasted the leaves in covered -underground rock pits. After this was done they underwent a sun-drying -process, following which they were cut into small square pieces and -stored away for winter use in hermetically sealed earthen _ay-as_. - -The plant was put to many other uses which I shall not divulge at this -time, as it would probably invite total extermination of the desert -agave, as occurred in the case of the bison and the messenger dove. - - - Ringworms and scalp germs of the hair roots. - - - MICRAPELIS MICRACARPA - (_Ind. Yal_) - -American Thorny Cucumber. This beautiful vine is very common through the -lower and upper coastal ranges. Wherever you may go you will see the -thorny cucumber. It is very bitter to the taste and the seeds are very -pretty, running into the various shades of white, yellow, gray, black, -olive-green, brown, and red. - -In the '90s the white people discovered that they could be worked into -portieres, hanging ornaments, etc., as they looked so beautiful and the -fad became so strong that young and old would search for these seeds all -over the country with the result that the plant became almost extinct, -the usual net result when the white man took a fancy to certain plants -or animals. However, in this instance, kind Mother Nature hid a few -seeds away among and under the carpet of autumn leaves which in time -replaced the destruction wrought by the white man. - -One should know that we, the so-called savages, never destroyed -wantonly, and when we gathered the flowers, seeds, leaves and bark of -plants, we did so for a useful purpose, not to strew them along the -highways as the custom is among certain humans of today. - -_Micrapelis micracarpa_ was used in the treatment of ringworm in the -epidermis. Juices extracted from the rind of the thorny cucumber were -rubbed into afflicted parts--a sure and effective remedy. - -For the treatment of diseased scalps and hair roots the oil extracted -from the seeds is massaged into the scalp and thus prevents the falling -out of the hair. - -The juice of _Micrapelis micracarpa_ will remove human bloodstains, one -of the most difficult stains to remove. The Indian made quite frequent -use of it--when returning from the battlefield or a hunting trip--to -remove such stains from his buckskin clothes. - - - The soap of the Indian. - - - CUCURBITA FOETIDISSIMA - (_Ind. Meh-hish_) - -American Wild Gourd. This plant, inhabiting the arid soils of the -coastal plains, is very hardy and at its best in worthless ground -unsuitable for agricultural purposes. Thanks to Mother Nature, by -thriving in otherwise dead soils, it was assured of continuous -preservation. - -The Indians regarded it highly as being useful in what washing they had -to do toward keeping their buckskin clothes and blankets clean. Very -soon after the vandals from Spain invaded our country, they adopted this -plant in place of their greasy soaps. When the gourds were fully matured -they were gathered and put away in the shade to dry for winter use. For -the day's washing, one gourd was put in about ten gallons of water to -help bleach the clothes, while large, square pieces were cut from the -roots (which grow to an immense size) and were used as root soap bars -for rubbing the clothes laid on a smooth log or a flat rock. Another -plant similarly used was the fibrous bulb of the - - - CHLOROGALUM POMERIDIANUM - (_Ind. Mo-cee_) - -A member of the Lily family, known as Soap Plant. - - - SAPONARIA OFFICIANALIS - (_Ind. Yu-look-ut-hish_) - -American Soapwort. Inhabits the woodlands of the lower coast regions. -The juice extracted from the roots of this plant makes an excellent hair -tonic and cleanser, giving the hair a beautiful, brilliant gloss and, as -a shampoo, it exceeds most of the modern hair tonics which, in my -opinion, are more or less injurious to the hair roots due to an excess -of alcohol in the preparations. Blooming season: May to June. - -Its leaves were also of much use in cases of pains of the spleen. They -were ground into a pulp and applied as a poultice-plaster directly where -the pain was, and kept there for from three to four hours. - - - BRODIAEA - (_Ind. Meh-wahot_) - -Is an inhabitant of the lower coastal regions, and is one of the other -plants serviceable for making an excellent shampoo for the hair, the -bulb and flowers being used for the purpose. Blooms from March to May. - - - Protection against lightning. - - - CEANOTHUS DIVARICATUS and PINUS SABINIANA - (_Ind. O-Oot_) (_Ind. Wa-at_) - -The California Lilac--Spanish _Chaparral_--an inhabitant of the mountain -ranges, blooms like the common lilac and is very beautiful. - -Attracting every nature lover, this gigantic shrub is possessed of a -strange power, which up to the present has escaped attention, due to its -having been kept secret among the Indians for centuries. - -As I am writing Indian legends through botany, I, for the first time, -shall reveal the virtues of this shrub and it should prove of the -greatest interest to those engaged in scientific research, especially in -geology and botanical chemistry. And if the shrub is used as the Indians -used it--and still do--it will help to safeguard life when thunder and -lightning are at their worst at timber line of high mountainsides and -peaks. - -These monumental cones were at one time, in the early Archean period, -surcharged with volcanic activity, which was responsible for the -enormous iron deposits stored in the bowels of the earth. Electrical -storms, being attracted by the iron, burst at times there with terrific -violence, causing a truly phenomenal disturbance; while lightning bolts -strike the iron bodies, completely magnetizing them, turning them -gradually into the mineral, magnetic iron. - -Now, let us bear in mind that cone-bearing pines and the _Chaparral_ -grow side by side on and over these magnetic iron deposits. Of the two, -the pine seldom escapes destruction whereas the _Chaparral_ deflects -lightning. At the harvest season of the pine nuts, when these storms -were very frequent, precaution had to be taken against the danger of -being struck by lightning, and the _Chaparral_ was the tree chosen in -the pine forest by the Indians as furnishing both safety and shelter. - -Now, some of our Red fellow men, through ignorance and a belief in -miracles, were superstitious and quite sincere in their belief in the -efficiency possessed by the magnetic iron mineral, and in its inherent -supernatural powers to guard their homes against prowlers and thieves. -So, much of it was gathered after its discovery and placed inside the -homes to protect them from such intruders. Therefore, whenever a man was -known to be in the possession of this mineral he became the object of -much reverence and respect by wrongdoers, the belief being that the -magnetic iron attracts and draws to it all other particles of -nonmagnetic iron. By the same token, if they entered strange premises, -the same thing would happen to them and they would be held until the -rightful owner appeared. - -The author of _Chi-nich-nich_, Dr. John P. Harrington, of the Department -of Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution, found himself against a -wall when he wrote something about this "wizard" mineral under its -Indian name without a sample from his Indian informant, Mr. Albanes. Dr. -Harrington was unable to give a firsthand description and had no -definite idea of what the mineral actually was until he requested me to -revise his work, a thing I did gladly at the printing office in Santa -Ana, Calif. - -Later on, when my opinion was asked regarding the book I, of course, -drew my own conclusions and withheld any criticism. This I did, not -deeming it wise to make any remarks about parts of the work which did -not represent the true phases of Indian life, for, as I held the key -that would correct those parts, any criticism from me would only have -led to my being questioned as to my knowledge of things which I didn't -feel at liberty to divulge. - -Accordingly, my identification of the "wizard stone" broke up an -expensive Smithsonian expedition which was to be made by a group of -geologists, with all its branches well-represented, in search of -magnetic iron. Now, this is a mineral which has some commercial value in -the electrical field, the steel industries and in the manufacture of -scientific instruments, although some charlatans, like some of my Indian -brothers, claim the mineral possesses supernatural powers and the -so-called lodestone is sold today to a good many people as a talisman. - -This lodestone is nothing more than common magnetic iron, yellow in -color due to the large amount of sulphur in the mineral. The silver-gray -magnetic ore which was the Indian's "wizard stone" derives its color -from the arsenic it contains. Furthermore, many other spurious -contrivances are being sold, not to Indians but to white people of even -very superior intelligence and P. T. Barnum fell far short in his -estimate of the number of people just waiting to fall into the snare of -deception, with his famous remark that "a sucker is born every minute." -Every second would be nearer the truth. - -By personal investigation which I made I found that some of these -deluded victims, men and women both, carry upon their persons lodestones -for "luck," whereas others think that by wearing them concealed close to -the flesh it gives them a strong magnetic personality and thereby they -command the attention they desire from others. - -This is not likely to happen. You can magnetize your body, to be sure, -but not this way. The right way is the way of the Indians of wisdom, -nature's way. If you are getting sluggish, low in vitality and vigor, it -simply means that the battery-cells of your body are low and need -recharging. Civilization has to some extent deprived us of this great -body builder and has isolated us until the flesh of our feet does not -make contact with the vast electrical currents of Mother Nature. To -receive any benefits from this natural resource you must not wear shoes -in the spring or early summer months, and, weather permitting, go to -some lonely place where you are sure there won't be any interference by -the authorities, remove your clothing and then lie flat on the ground -with your muscles well relaxed. - -While doing this, dismiss from your mind everything which would cause -you worry. Slowly but surely you will find yourself to be a different -man if this is repeated yearly. Thus you will have learned to -"magnetize" your soul and preserve yourself for the many years before -you, as most Indians do. - -How to be free from daily annoying trivialities, which only serve to -undermine one's health, weaken one's body and render one an easy prey to -disease and misery, the Indian understood thoroughly. Instead, he -cultivated poise, and reached such perfection that he became the envy of -the white race in that respect. - - - Antivenin for rattlesnake and tarantula bites. - - - DATURA METELOIDES. - (_Ind. Qui-qui-sa-waal_) - -American Jimson Weed. This plant is an inhabitant of the California -coastal region and is not particular as to the nature of the soil or its -fertility, but thrives anywhere. This tuberous, bushy plant is highly -narcotic and when the leaves are properly cured they can be used either -in the form of tea or smoked, but withal, very sparingly, since an -overdose may very likely cause one to be committed to an insane asylum, -as it is a rank poison and its effect may even land one in an -undertaker's mortuary. Therefore, my advice is to leave it alone. - -My Indian brothers, being unable to give correct information to -hard-shelled scientists and writers through a poor knowledge of the -English language, were made objects of criticism, and science -deliberately declined to acknowledge the medicinal value of this cousin -to Datura stramonium which in modern medical practice is of great value -at the present time. - -Considering, however, the value and uses of _Datura meteloides_, I -assert that this decision was very irregular and out of all proportion -as to what it was intended. We know that everything can be abused, yet -some of our Indian brothers who wished to live in ignorance and -superstition had a perfect right to do so. In truth, it wasn't so with -all Indians and there were really some great minds amongst them. - -When, for instance, the Chinaman wishes to see the beautiful lotus and -cherry blossoms of his native land, he does so through the smoke of the -opium-pipe. - -Then, how about our boasted white civilization which is supposed to be -superior to all? Some, of course, like to see Yankee Doodle marching -down the street, others draw the hypodermic from its case to stimulate -the vision of desire--or sniff cocaine through the nostrils for the same -purpose. - -How much, I ask, has present-day civilization to offer the Indian? Kind -readers and hard-shelled scientists, I pray you, let us be rational and -let us go deeper into the field of investigation. And I advise you for -your own good to do so even if _Datura meteloides_ has failed to make -its appearance in the pharmacopoeia with its commercial mark [*Rx] -prefixed with the "M.D." As I have said once before, there is very -little in the drugstores today for which the Indian cannot find a -substitute in the great field of nature. The plants I am writing about -in this book represent just one-fourth of the medicinal botany of our -Indians of the Pacific Southwest. - -In support of my assertion, I only ask that you visit the Historical -Southwest Museum in Los Angeles, Calif., and see with your own eyes what -a medicine case consisted of for the general practice of medicine in the -early days, in those days when most people of the white race thought -themselves further advanced in medicine than the Indians. Such was not -the case by far, and for a comparison and evidence of my assertion I -submit a résumé of the contents used by the first white doctor to -practice medicine in the State of California. His name I omit. His soul -is at rest! - -His medicine case contained a few vials: (1) Oil of Cloves, (2) Spirits -of Ammonia, (3) Spirits of Peppermint, (4) Wintergreen, (5) Jamaica -Ginger, (6) Castor Oil, (7) Quinine. - -And that was all he had to serve as a comparison with what the Indians -used, and in this I prefer that you, kind reader, be the judge. I am not -exaggerating but speak only in the light of truth. A great deal of -misinterpretation of Indian life has been written by white authors who -gathered their information from Indians who knew a great deal but were -unable to give comprehensive data to the white writer. Others were there -who could have done so, but their lips were sealed where the white man -was concerned. This accounts for the mistakes which have been made and -whereby _Datura meteloides_ has failed to gain recognition for its -meritorious medicinal value. It is worth knowing that the plant is -antivenin and will effect cures of rattlesnake and tarantula bites. What -improvement has the hard-shelled scientist made to counteract the deadly -poison of the tarantula? None, of course! - -Not so long ago a man in New Orleans, La., gave up his life for want of -a serum that would counteract the poison of a tarantula which had bitten -him. Three doctors, equipped with all the white man's knowledge of -medicine and chemistry, strove desperately hard to save the man's life -but finally gave up in despair and frankly admitted that to date no -serum had been discovered to conquer the poison of the tarantula! - -Yet there is one and it behooves the medical profession to get -acquainted with _Datura meteloides_. - -A practical and effective demonstration was given in the presence of a -group of mission friars at San Gabriel, California, in the year 1828. -The friars, having heard that _toulache_ was used by the Indians to cure -rattlesnake bites, lost no time in watching attentively the procedure -followed by the Indian in charge--Genio Guana-pia-pa was the medicine -man. The patient was seated before them well-covered with a blanket, -with only an opening remaining around the neck in order to permit -_Datura meteloides_ to be poured over his body. All this, of course, was -very simple. But what of the process used to extract the poison, when, -and what compounds? Yes, there is just one other which belongs in the -formula, a formula which has cost me thirty-two years of waiting to -finally wrest it from my uncle, Chief Pablo of Pe-we-pe and Guana-pia-pa -who gave me access to the ancient historical records of the Indians of -California, records which many historians, archaeologists, and -practically all men of science would welcome. - -The white man has missed the true and better half of the Indian history -of the Pacific Southwest. This I shall describe in another book after -the translation has been made. - -The rattlesnake and tarantula formula I will donate to the good of -mankind, free under patent rights under my control to avoid medical -exploitation, speculation, and selfish rights of monopoly. I am not in -search of mere money. Honor and character are of far more value to me. -My happiness comes to me from the good I can do to others, and this to -me is almost an obligation to clear and right every wrong done to my -people; not with a deadly weapon, but with pen and ink, the Lord -willing! - -We Indians have not yet learned some of the ways and customs of our -white brothers, and, therefore, I could not say that what cannot be done -today can be done ten years from now. Our religion and philosophy teach -us that the heart is the pendulum of life, each stroke representing -timely death which may befall us with one of these strokes any moment, -and so don't forget _Datura meteloides_. - -Once an incident occurred when _Datura meteloides_ was being prepared at -a place where the spying eyes of the friars couldn't observe it. Enough -plundering had been done already, and the Indians had no desire to -divulge their secret. They would only show them what they could do. One -of the friars, full of doubt and curiosity, asked one of the Indians -who, the day before, had assisted a patient bitten by a rattlesnake to -go with him into one of the fields north of the Mission, pretending he -wanted information as to certain plants growing there. When there, the -friar drew near to a _Datura meteloides_, and at once began questioning -the Indian about the plant, whereupon the Indian refused to give -information. The friar, seeing he couldn't make him yield, began kicking -at the plant, uttering at the same time Latin words, which of course -were wholly unintelligible to the Indian. The friar did that only to -make the Indian show resentment, thinking he had cursed a plant which, -to the Indian, was sacred. - -However, the friar's scheme didn't work; the Indian stood by in silence, -until at last the saintly friar lost control of his temper, damned the -Indian and his herbs and finally told him that if he'd dig up one of the -roots he would chew it, nay, even swallow it, just to show him it was -worthless. - -The Indian took him at his word, dug up a root and handed it to him. Our -friar was game and began chewing it. Accidentally he swallowed some of -the bitter juice and in 15 minutes went through terrible convulsions, -till death came. - - - Weather observation, travel and fishing aids, aqueous plants. - - - ECHINOCACTUS and SEMPERVIVUM - (_Ind. Co-pash_) - -American Water-Barrel Cactus. An inhabitant of the arid Pacific -southwestern deserts. Like all Indians in their boyhood days I was also -warned of the great perils threatening human beings in the desert, and -in order to meet any emergency which might arise, we received much -instruction for the time to come when this was absolutely necessary for -our safety. The schooling given us consisted chiefly of weather -observation, how to detect the approach of severe desert storms from the -very beginning of sunset through part of the night by watching the -action of the stars, the night atmosphere and the various changes of the -air currents. - -All this had to be mastered to such a degree of perfection that I doubt -very much if any Bureau of Meteorology could do better. Most of the -changes indicated heat waves, electric rainstorms, terrific wind, sand -storms, etc. The only instrument the Indian had was his index finger -which he made use of by holding it in his mouth for a few seconds, then -pulling it out quickly and thrusting it upright toward the sky, his eyes -fixed on the North Star. The side of the finger which cooled quickest -indicated the direction of the wind. - -Now came our water compasses, very primitive in form, but instructive -and true to sense of direction as direct leaders to water holes. - -Of course the Indians venturing across the arid desert were always -careful to take with them the _Sempervivum_--House Leek--and, as an -extra measure of precaution, another plant which grows abundantly in the -semi-arid regions. These very same things were taught some of the old -white pioneers who were friendly and had shown kindness to the Indians, -while others perished from lack of knowledge of how to make use of these -plants--the _Echinocactus_ and the _Sempervivum_, which furnish -thirst-quenching juices. - -The thorns of the _Echinocactus_ were used by the Indians as fishhooks -for deep-water fishing so that the modern fishhook is by no means the -white man's invention. - -Both the _Echinocactus_ and _Sempervivum_ were also used for the -prevention of swelling of the salivary glands as a result of the tongue -being dry and inactive. - - - General medication. - - - TRICHOSTEMA LANATUM - (_Ind. Zu-bal_) - -American Wild Rosemary. This shrub, when in full bloom in the months of -May to July, emits a sweet, balsamic fragrance, and is of great -medicinal value for many ailments. - -The Indians who made use of this plant a great deal had no difficulty in -tracing it through its scent to its place of growth, where the flowering -stocks were carefully gathered so that the root and crown system -suffered no injury. Extra precaution was taken for the next annual -blooming season, for most of the plants were of a delicate nature. As -far back as I can remember, in the late '90s, the _Trichostema lanatum_ -grew in abundance along the near coastal ranges, but gradually this very -valuable plant became a victim of extermination through brush fires at -the hands of careless hunters and the clearing of land by farmers. The -Indians, perceiving how rapidly these plants were vanishing, gathered -the seeds and carried them further inland, into rough mountain country -where they were resown, and there they remained in their last botanical -refuge with hundreds of others which are of great medicinal value also. - -Furthermore, from such localities Indian hunters would gather the seeds -and carry them still further into the mountains for safety and for -purposes of propagation. Today it is solely due to the Indian's -foresight that _Trichostema lanatum_ is found plentifully in the -Pe-we-pe mountains, better known today as the San Gorgania mountains. It -is also found in Riverside County and the San Jacinto mountains, on -southward over high mountaintops in lower California, Mexico, and -northward to San Rafael but rarely beyond that point. - - - Ptomaine poisoning. - - - ERIOGONUM UMBELLATUM - (_Ind. Hula-cal_) - -An inhabitant of the arid California desert, it is a massive, -white-flowering shrub remarkable for the long duration of its blooming -period which lasts from early June till late September. During this time -the desert may be seen covered with a vast mass of white blossoms -comparable in its color effect to the winter snowfields in northern -latitudes. - -To have the opportunity to see the manifold flowering wonders of this -great desert, in their sudden magical changes, one must visit it during -the period from early February till late in the fall. - -The time to see cactus in bloom is in February and March. The latter -month ends the flowering season for this particular plant. Again the -desert becomes flowerless and gloomy for at least two months and then -good Mother Nature with her magic wand once more transforms the desolate -desert into a brilliant garden of flowers and shrubs. There are the -Yucca Whipplei and the yucca palm, the Joshua palm and the desert lilac, -the desert poinsettias, marguerites, desert and scrub pines. All a riot -of color, but the _Eriogonum_ survives them all into September. What a -wonderful array of color greets the eye! As far as it can see it is -fairly stunned by these glowing tints and hues, from rich ultramarine to -pale yellow--red, lavender, purple, pink, light blue, to the purest -cream white. This blooming season ends in July, but alone the -_Eriogonum_ keeps on blooming till September. - -Then there is one short rest period for about one month as if in -preparation for a carpet of golden blooms. - -Shrubs, bushes, and small trees which have been practically dormant for -ten months of the year burst out in golden vestments to greet the -approaching winter, and bid a last farewell to Indian Summer. - -Such is the aspect of the desert, at that time of the year. And, -strangest of all, of all the hundreds of species of trees, bushes, and -shrubs, all different from each other, not one bears anything but yellow -blossoms. - -Let us turn back to where we began, to the especial value of the plant -to hunters and vacationists who make their yearly visits to certain -mountain and desert regions favored by them. It will certainly do no -harm to acquaint yourself with the medicinal value of the _Eriogonum_ -since you have to depend for your sustenance mostly on canned foods. - -Occasions arise when users of such foods are made very ill, even suffer -death, through so-called ptomaine poisoning. To obtain the service of a -doctor is well-nigh an impossibility and ptomaine poisoning is a -fast-working, exceedingly dangerous poison, where delay is fatal. - -The plant _Eriogonum_ grows nowadays in the coastal regions as well as -in the desert where it originally came from, and the first thing to do -when attacked by ptomaine poison is to make a strong infusion from the -blossoms of the _Eriogonum_, or, if these are not available, use the -roots, and take, or give to the poison victim, two brimful cups with a -pinch of salt added to each cup. - -This remedy counteracts the poison and gives safe and complete relief. - - - Jewelry and talismans. - - - ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA - (_Ind. Samat-hap-pac_) - -American Milk Weed. White botanists claim this plant to be edible, but -to my knowledge there is no botanical record extant which bears out the -assertion as to its ever having been used as a food. - -The Indians pressed out the milky juices and used the extract obtained -in the manufacture of their jewelry, most of their precious stones being -made into necklaces, earrings, collars, wrist and upper arm bracelets, -all mounted in this milk-juice preparation of the _Asclepias syriaca_. - -This kind of jewelry was worn by Indians of a higher civilization as -talismans, just as civilized people of today wear similar ornamental -articles with more or less superstitious belief. We need only point to -the so-called "charms" worn by many to bring luck, ward off disaster or -sickness--in fact, for more reasons of a superstitious nature than the -Indian ever thought of. - -A great deal in the way of royalties are due the Indian, in return for -the use of his art-craft, yet a few jewelry items have been overlooked -by Mr. Jeweler--items which, peradventure, may bring him great wealth if -properly ballyhooed. - -Let us take, for instance, the case of the witch-doctor among the -Indians with his special ornamental necklace--the symbol of his -profession--a necklace denoting supernatural powers, a crystal quartz -for a nose-piece. The necklace is made of eagle-, bear- and lion-claws, -the poison fangs of rattlesnakes, etc. - -It must be understood, however, that the necklace mentioned will not -endow the wearer of it with any power whatsoever, unless those various -claws are extracted from the living animals which, no doubt, makes the -manufacture of such a necklace somewhat hazardous and dangerous. - -As far as is known, no patent has been granted yet on the process of -getting these necklace ornaments in compliance with the rules of -"Charm-Craft." So here is a fine chance for some enterprising, -courageous jeweler to strive for renown and riches. - -But, Mr. Jeweler, there must be no copying, no pilfering of any sort. -The rules must be obeyed in strict honesty. The patent will then be -found waiting. - - - Hunting with poisoned arrows. - - - KALMIA LATIFOLIA - (_Ind. Po-ha-not_) - -American California Mountain Laurel. It may be of interest to sportsmen -that this plant, growing in the high mountain ranges, is as greatly -relished by the deer as _Hosackia glabra_. Deer in large numbers look -for this shrubby tree and this is the key to the white man's puzzle why -Indians are such successful hunters. It is simply that the Indian lived -the life God intended him to, and, through close association with -animals in the wilderness, he became proficient in observing their -habits, imitating their calls and thus bringing them within shooting -distance of his bow and arrow. Here the _Kalmia_ played an important -part. The hunter not only used it as a body deodorizer, but also made -use of the top part of a deer skull with the skin and antlers left on, -never exposing more than these, when lying in ambush. - -The _Kalmia_ had other virtues, besides, in that it furnished one of the -ingredients to compound a poison in which to dip arrowheads. A deer hit -with an arrow had a slim chance of getting away wounded. If it happened, -it was only for a short distance and then it would drop paralyzed from -the effect of the poisoned arrow. The meat was edible and harmless and -none was left over. - -The grizzly bear was one of the most ferocious members of the bear -family in the Pacific Southwest. Although quite common and plentiful, -this powerful animal was killed with as much ease as the housewife of -today kills a chicken. - -When hunting this bear the Indians would select one which had the best -coat of hair. Two Indians would work together, beginning with yelling, -singing, and dancing around him to such effect that he became very angry -and charged one of the hunters. With speed and precision the other one -would run up to the bear from behind and shoot his arrow straight into -the bear's kidneys, thus in most cases rendering the bear quite -helpless; and try as hard as he might to turn on his enemy, his efforts -proved futile. Paralyzed in the hind legs due to the arrow being -imbedded in the kidneys handicapped him so that he had to vent his rage -in a sitting position. The other Indian in front of him, thereupon would -shoot an arrow straight into his ear, ending it all in a few seconds. -The skin, when cured and tanned, was used for the interior lining of -tepees, bed covers, and ground mattresses. However, the time came when -bear hunting was abolished by executive orders of our Indian chieftains, -and this was caused by the following: - -At one time these Indian chiefs, while traversing their territory, were -attracted by gunfire. Driven by suspicion and curiosity, they decided to -investigate and went to where the shooting was taking place. Great, -indeed, was their surprise when they came upon two white hunters -battling with a grizzly and it seemed that the bullets of the old-time -muzzle-loading gun didn't prove up to expectations. There was very -little time to reload, so one of the hunters threw his gun away and fled -with the other partner in close pursuit, the wounded bear right on their -heels and in full command of the situation. - -The sight of this caused the chiefs great mirth and fun, and from that -day forth, it was made known to all the tribes that the bear had some -human understanding, had no use for the white man and was the protector -of the Indians' domain. The act witnessed by the chiefs that day made -the bear a regular member and scout of honor of all tribes facing a -possible invasion of their virgin country. - -In spite of all this, however, the white man resorted to the use of -traps and poisoned bait to exterminate the Indians' friend. But, advised -by some intelligent instinct this animal had, the bear decided suddenly -to leave, and drifted away into Mexico and to northern latitudes. - -Even to this day, the bear is considered a great friend by the Indians -and when one is killed or dies of natural causes, much reverence and -respect is paid him by the older people who, in their minds, are still -living in earlier days, now gone by. - - - Care of the eyes. - - - SALVIA COLUMBRIAE - (_Ind. Pa-sal_) - -This plant belongs to the food division but plays another important -rôle, considering what it means to a person to be relieved of the -excruciating pain caused by the introduction of a foreign substance into -the eye, thus producing a temporary obstruction of the vision. Many -Indians, after a hard day's hunting or riding through severe sandstorms, -had this experience, and consequently, they never neglected to give -their eyes proper care. - -When time to retire, the Indian would put at least a couple of seeds of -the _Salvia columbriae_ under the eyelids, and, with eyes shut tight to -keep the seed from dropping out, he would fall asleep. As they swelled, -they would move about with every movement of the eyeball and emit a -gelatinous substance which gathered up every particle of sand or any -other substance present, and, when removed, left the eye clear and free -of any possible inflammation. This is a good example of the care the -Indian gave his eyes and accounts for his good and strong vision. - -An inhabitant of the arid lands, it grows prolifically in places where -in earlier days the Indians made their homes, and very often the ancient -dwellings which our people used will be found covered with large beds of -_Salvia columbriae_, with their beautiful blossoms of purple and -lavender. - -These colors were to the Indians a mournful reminder of their departed -ones, in their lifelong struggle and search for food, so mightily -important to sustain life. Regarding the use of the _Columbriae_ for -this purpose, the method used was very simple. - -It was cut and bundled by the male members of the family, brought in and -heaped up on a large cleared space of ground, formed into a circle and -then trodden down as hard as a cement floor. This was done with water -and the bare feet and threshing with long sticks. By thus beating the -heap of _Columbriae_, they released the seeds which were then winnowed -by being blown before a wind current made with the aid of two baskets. -After this, they were carried to the grinding stones to be ground into a -fine meal which made excellent porridge--a very popular dish among -Indians. - - - Foods, medicine, tanning and dyes. - - - QUERCUS VIRGINIANA - (_Ind. Qui-neel_) - -American Live Oak. This evergreen tree of the western mountain ranges is -the most imposing of all the species of the oak family. It grows to an -immense size and attains a great height. Some of these giants of the -forest cover and shade an area large enough to afford protection to as -many as three hundred adult persons. - -A great deal has been written in song and poetry in praise of the -stately oak but the Indians found out by experience that the acorns it -bore were far more nutritious than poetry, and before long the noble -tree was adopted as a regular member of the tribes--a bountiful provider -of food. - -Even so, the oak was by them much honored in war and love songs, for the -many good things it furnished them besides food. The fallen leaves made -warm mattress-bedding while the bark played a part in medicine and also -in the tanning and dyeing of buckskin in various fast colors by blending -with the bark of other oaks and roots. Let it be understood that these -dyes thus produced were of a firm, non-fading nature and also excellent -preservers of buckskin. - -The colors produced were very beautiful and ranged from pure white to -yellow, red, light and dark brown, light pink, gray and black. - -Regarding the acorns, special care was given to the harvested crop and -the process was simple. The acorns were put into fine, hand-woven net -bags and tied with a rawhide rope to a tree close to the river bank -whereupon the bags were placed in the stream. The running water would -cause the acorn shell to swell and split open, thus releasing into the -water most of the tannic acid which the acorns contained. After being -left in the water for a week or so, they were taken out, the hulls -removed and spread out to dry. Afterwards they were ground into a fine -meal, sun-dried again, and then put away for winter use. - -The porridge made of it jells like custard and, when well cooked, has -the color of chocolate pie. It can be cut into squares and served with -deer meat or eaten as a dessert with cream and sugar. Besides being very -delicious and nourishing it is also a great flesh builder. - -As a warning, let it be said, never to eat any acorns picked fresh from -the tree, because of the tannic acid they contain; in that state they -may cause severe constriction of the bowels and the glands of the -throat. - - - Bleeding navel. - - - TYPHA LATIFOLIA and QUERCUS AGRIFOLIA - (_Ind. Co-o-tem_) (_Ind. Qui-neel_) - -American Cat-tail is an aquatic grass inhabiting shallow, stagnant lakes -and swamps and is very common on the Pacific coast of California. _Tule_ -is perhaps the name by which the plant is best known, although the other -is also very common. This valuable grass has failed to find a place -among the scientists of the world, as _Tule_ is a purely Indian name, -and is far from being identical with those so far being classified by -botanical science. But _Tule_ is medicinal and has healing properties -which were made use of by the Indians to heal bleeding navels. Nothing -could be better. - -The blades of the grass were gathered and burned to the consistency of -charcoal, then finely powdered and sprinkled on the bleeding parts. - -When this couldn't be obtained, the Indians further inland had recourse -to the apples growing on the Scrub-Oak or _Quercus agrifolia_, and these -were, of course, dried and powdered, and medicated with balsam oil. The -salve proved to be very effective in healing the afflicted parts. In -short, the results were first-class and saved the lives of many little -Indian babies. - - - Indian food. - - - PROSOPIS JULIFLORA - (_Ind. Pe-che-te_) - -Mesquite Bean. An inhabitant of the southwestern deserts, it ranges as -far as the northwestern and southwestern central parts of Mexico. A -native of southeastern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, the -_Juliflora_ was perhaps one of the trees which provided the greater part -of food for the natives. - -Its contents were very rich in protein and even wild animals relished it -greatly. To obtain the yearly supply, the Indians made a regular -pilgrimage early in the season to localities where the _Juliflora_ grew -in abundance, and stood guard over the trees for many weeks until the -bean pods were fully matured. Then they were harvested and ground in -rock mortars to the fineness of flour, such as is used in the baking of -cakes, tarts, etc. - -It could also be mixed to the consistency of porridge, either with hot -or cold water and taken with sun-dried venison. It formed a very -nourishing diet. Sugar was never added to it. - -The bean pods of the _Juliflora_ are extremely sweet, and may be eaten -right off the tree if dry enough. In any other condition they are -unpalatable. - - - PTERIS AQUILINA - (_Ind. Wel-met_) - -American Bracken Fern. This graceful and stately fern of great beauty of -leaf design inhabits the high mountain ranges where there are -well-shaded forest lands rich in mulch. This fern is well-known to every -Indian for the sad historical part it played in the life of our fair and -beloved sister Ramona, the daughter of Ca-we and wife of Alessandro, the -immortal Indian who suffered death without a moment's warning at the -hands of a brute and coward. - -The authoress of _Ramona_, Helen Hunt Jackson, mentions in her book what -good use of this fern Alessandro made in preparing Ramona's bed at the -time of their elopement and tells of the hardships both young lovers -underwent. - -The young sprouting shoots of the _Pteris aquilina_ fern mean as much to -the Indians as asparagus does to white people, as it contains much oil -which is extremely rich in flavor when the shoots are properly cut and -cooked. - -There are ferns in song, ferns in poetry, ferns where wedding bells -ring, ferns on the altars of churches and ferns in God's acre. Also in -gardens, but nature's garden is where the Indian wants them! - - - Food and bleaching. - - - YUCCA WHIPPLEI - (_Ind. Yu-ca_) - -American Spanish Bayonet. The name yucca is the true native Indian name -of this exquisite plant, but even Mr. Whipple, the botanist, failed, -like many others, to properly describe the beauty of the yucca. - -During the months of May and June when the plant is in full bloom it is -nothing strange, when venturing into the desert mountains, to find -oneself in a veritable forest of countless thousands of yuccas. With its -erect stalk, attaining a height of from four to twelve feet, heavily and -massively crowned with creamy white blossoms, the yucca closely -resembles a gigantic hyacinth of the California desert and mountains, -and its delicious fragrance outrivals many of the costliest perfumes. - -The use of the yucca was of much importance, some of the stalks were cut -just at the time the plant was in full bloom, the flowers are edible, -the stalk rich in sugar which produces a fine quality of syrup, obtained -by first roasting the stalks in underground pits. - -Other stalks were allowed to mature, their pods yielding the finest -material for bleaching buckskin fiber a pure white. Also used very much -in the art of basketry, etc. - - - Rheumatism. - - - URTICA HOLOSERICEA - (_Ind. Panga-tum_) - -American Stinging Nettle. An inhabitant of the swamps and river beds. -This plant was used in most cases of inflammatory rheumatism of the most -peculiar kind known to mankind, particularly when the lower limbs were -affected to such an extent that they became numb, cold and useless. The -cure was very simple if your limbs were in a bad state, but rather -unpleasant if in a sound condition. - -The nettle was cut and brought to the Indian patient's bedside, where -the leaves were rubbed on all his ailing parts. This was repeated for -several days until warmth in the affected parts and a proper circulation -of the blood was attained. When the patient was able to get up and walk, -a second treatment of a different nature was administered, the so-called -Rock Steam-Bath of a herb compound made up of the following three -plants: - - - PHLOX SUBULATA - (_Ind. E-wa-yack_) - -American Moss Pink. An inhabitant of the Mojave Desert. - - - PINUS MONTICOLA - (_Ind. Wa-ta_) - -American Scrub Pine. An inhabitant of the northern slopes of our -California Mother coast range, and in a few localities on the desert -floor. - - - ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS - (_Ind. Ta-wal_) - -American Southern Maidenhair Fern. Inhabits the high coastal ranges, but -further north it will be found on the lower coastal ranges. - - - Menstrual period. - - - LIPPIA LANCEOLATA - (_Ind. Te-eel-p-yack_) - -Lemon Verbena. Spanish _Cedron_. This shrubby tree has become nearly -extinct and but few specimens are found now and then. The infusion made -from its leaves and blossoms is very aromatic, somewhat like peppermint. - - - CRYSANTHEMUM PARTHENIUM - (_Ind. Che-ke-wat_) - -American Feverfew, Spanish _Artemisa_. This plant was used for the same -medicinal purpose as the one mentioned above. - - - Diseased throat glands, scrofula. - - - NICOTIANA GLAUCA - (_Ind. Tee-baat_) - -American Tobacco Tree. This tree, very common along the Pacific coast, -grows from Santa Barbara southward to the end of Lower California, and -the Mexican peninsula. The tree grows in terraced gorges and ravines and -is rarely to be found anywhere else. - -The leaves were steamed and applied externally as a poultice over the -swollen parts of the throat caused by inflammation of the throat glands, -and also for scrofula. While the latter malady didn't exist among the -Indians, yet they treated and cured some of the whites who had it, with -_Nicotiana glauca_. - -It was also steamed into the body of those suffering from rheumatism and -proved there also its value to many human beings. - -I have once before spoken of other plants useful for the same purpose, -but as this plant has something to recommend it for the last-named -ailment, it is appropriate to mention it again in connection with -scrofula and inflammation of the throat glands. - -To the plant serving all these cases equally well, we must give credit -where credit is due, even at the cost of repetition, in order to give -the reader a fair understanding of the various diseases a plant may be -good for. - -Surely a wonderful provision made by nature! - - - Fishing. - - - CROTON SETIGERUS - (_Ind. Tu-tal_) - -American Dove Weed. The beautiful dwarf plant is very common throughout -the coastal region and far into the inland valleys. It appears about -July in most barley fields after the harvest. It is truly a paradise for -wild turtledoves, and the hunter who goes into a place where the _Croton -setigerus_ grows may be sure of bagging a good number of doves in a -short time. - -The Indians gathered the plant for use in their fishing operations, and -some of it was stored away for winter use. The weed has a strongly -intoxicating effect on fish. - -A place was selected along the stream bed in a rather shallow spot and -dammed across. - -After this, a regular mat, formed of _Setigerus_, was laid on the -surface of the water, while a large number of Indians went upstream to -herd the schools of fish downstream and into the trap. Quite a simple -procedure, as the herding was done by merely beating the water ahead of -them. A barricade built of brushwood behind them prevented the fish from -going upstream. The water in the pond having become impregnated with the -_Setigerus_ affected the fish so that they soon floated helplessly on -the surface of the water where the Indians just picked them out by hand. -When a sufficient supply had been taken, the _Croton setigerus_ was -removed and piled up on the bank of the stream to dry and be used again. -The dam and barricade were also done away with and the uncaught fish -were allowed to get into fresh water to recuperate. - - - Tonic for loss of appetite. - - - MONTIA PERFOLIATA - (_Ind. Lah-chu-meek_) - -American Miner's Lettuce. This plant inhabits the coastal regions where -it thrives only in deep, decomposed beds of oak-tree mulch at suitable -points in the shady woodlands, where the circulation of water is present -under a deposit of mulch. - -The juice of the plant is an excellent appetite-restorer. - - - ALLIUM BISCEPTRUM - (_Ind. Ye-sil-ta-usa_) - -American Wild Onion. It is an inhabitant of the lower mid-coast ranges, -and the extract obtained from it is compounded with the powdered berries -of _Rhus trilobata_. - - - RHUS TRILOBATA - (_Ind. Sa-lat_) - -American Squaw-weed. An inhabitant of Southern California's higher -ranges, it makes an excellent restorative for an inactive stomach which -refuses food. The Indians also obtained the fiber from the vines of the -shrub by stripping it off with the thumbnail and using it for basket -making. - - - For poisonous insect-bites. - - - ALLIUM CANADENSE or ALLIUM VINEALE - (_Ind. Ye-sil-we-na_) - -American Wild Field Garlic. A plant held in great esteem by the Indians, -protecting them, when hunting or exploring, from poisonous snakes, -lizards, scorpions, tarantulas and insects during the summer season. - -It was the custom of the Indians then to discard their buckskin clothes -and roam around with as little covering as possible until the fall of -the year, when they donned their heavier clothing again for the -approaching cold weather. Now, it is well-known how disagreeable the -odor of garlic is to most human beings, but they don't know that it is -likewise so to reptiles and insects. The Indians, however, knew this, -although they never ate it. They used it only as medicine when needed, -but its greatest usefulness was to guard against being bitten by -poisonous vermin. - -The Indians ground the wild garlic into a pulp and then rubbed it well -over their legs up to the thighs, making extra sure that the skin was -thoroughly saturated with the garlic juice and thus protected. The -Indian would enter any locality to do his hunting, even if it was -infested with thousands of rattlesnakes, without the slightest fear or -worry. The reason is very simple. Whenever the snake or insect comes -within smelling distance of the garlic, it is so much affected by it as -to become well-nigh asphyxiated and is rendered helpless. - -The white man, in order to follow fashion, wears leggings, but I am sure -that he could use the formula I have given, very much to his advantage. -I give this formula freely to mankind, a formula which has remained a -secret for over a century and it will mean the saving of many lives if -used as described above. - - - Antidote. - - - BERTHOLLETIA - (_Ind. Pacah-quit_) - -American Arrow-wood. It is an inhabitant of the California River border -lands within the Pacific coastal belt, and is occasionally also found on -the southern border of the western desert lying in the northern part of -the Pacific coast. - -There has been much discussion in the past, and many arguments, many -flatly declaring that the arrowwood was used by the Indians for making -bows and arrow stocks. - -Being an Indian, that and nothing else, let me explain the matter -clearly as to this particular controversy. The young shoots of the -_Bertholletia_ were selected from the parent stock, well-seasoned and -then used for arrow stocks on which small arrow points were fitted for -the young Indian children to practice and hunt with. It was never used -for bows, however. For the making of fire through friction, it was very -useful and yet, this alone would not give an adequate account of the -value of arrowwood shrub. This is left to the decoction made from it, to -counteract the poison in wounds inflicted by arrowheads in battle -engagements, and therein lies its principal claim to the consideration -shown it by the Indians. - - - Sedative. - - - PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA - (_Ind. Che-ne-va-ica-cal_) - -American Ink Berry. This shrub, a common inhabitant of California's -coastal regions, has been placed by the white writer in the division of -poisonous plants, and we agree with him. So the only credit given the -plant is chiefly for the remarkable beauty it displays with its starlike -flowers and racemes of dark-blue berries. Yet it has been condemned -under the label of poison, and much is being done toward its destruction -wherever found. However, it is a fruitless task, and may only become a -near-success when the Indians and the birds shall be known as two signs -of life vanished from the face of the earth. For these two are -responsible for the preservation and propagation of the shrub. - -Morphine, opium, and cocaine are by far deadlier poisons than -_Phytolacca_--why, then, do doctors prescribe them to soothe and ease -pain, etc.? The root of the plant has some medicinal qualities to ease -severe neuralgic pains, and is deemed very efficient and important in -Indian medical formulas. For making dyes and inks the berries are -excellent, whereas the leaves are most useful in the treatment of skin -diseases, and to eradicate and clean the epidermis of pimples and -blackheads. - -Therefore, help to conserve and not destroy this really valuable plant. - - - Diseases of the liver. - - - RORIPPA NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE - (_Ind. Pang-sa-mat_) - -American Water Cress. It is an inhabitant of the coastal regions, swamps -and rivers. This aquatic plant is more deserving of attention than has -been given it, and is fully worthy of the name it bears, _Officinale_, -which means all that the word implies. The Indians, having discovered -the medicinal qualities of this plant, immediately gave it a place in -their medical and food division and, up to the present year of our Lord, -the plant has been used in the treatment of disorders of the -liver--cases such as torpid liver, cirrhosis of the liver and as a -dissolvent of gallstones, etc. - -When these diseases are curable, the diet is simple--with no -restrictions and no red tape to plague the patient. The first meal taken -in the morning must consist of _Nasturtium officinale_, salted very -sparingly, and of this the patient should eat as much as possible and do -without further food until noon, when he may eat whatever he likes. This -method must be repeated every morning. Care must be taken not to use -liquor if one wishes to insure quick recovery. - -When the liver is ulcerated it takes at least two months to heal -properly, but all other cases are of short duration. - - - Reducing teas. - - - LEPIDIUM EPETALUM - (_Ind. Chesa-mok-ka-mok_) - -American Pepper Grass. - - - SALINIA - (_Ind. Cheena-wah_) - -American Salt Grass. - - - PANICUM CAPILLARE - (_Ind. Ne-wa-cha-mo_) - -American Witch Grass. The first two are fond of rich, agricultural -soils, whereas the latter prefers alkaline lands. All three have been -declared noxious weeds and are listed as such by the Department of -Agriculture, although the Indians found some use for these grasses. - -There were times when some of our men and women became over-fat; in -fact, so fat that they had great difficulty in traveling, the exertion -making them complain of heart trouble which in reality was nothing but a -discomfort due to short respiration caused by excessive fatness. -Accordingly, something had to be done. A search was made, and -experiments with good results finally obtained. These grasses compounded -with the bark of sassafras, wall-wort and others (also named for -extermination, just like the three above-named plants) are excellent for -reducing purposes. - -The chief trouble in our schools where botany is taught seems to be that -too much attention is given to the _appearance_ of plants, instead of to -their medicinal value and other useful properties. - - - Birth control. - - - IVA AXILLARIS - (_Ind. Na-wish-mal_) - -American Poverty-Weed. This hardy plant predominates on most of the -salty marshes and lake shores. It is hardly worth destroying as it -mostly grows in soils totally unfit for agriculture, or anything else, -for that matter. - -Let me mention, however, that there is quite a history connected with -the earliest beginning of the Indian's life in connection with this -plant. No doubt it will be of interest to the readers of this book to -learn that the plant played an important part in what is today assumed -to be a modern institution--birth-control. - -The Indians knew and practiced it from the earliest times, but only in -cases when women proved themselves incapable, even when at their best, -to give birth to healthy children. - -In such cases they were compelled to make use of this plant as a -preventative and this should explain the Indian's wonderful stamina, his -sturdiness and perfect physique. Moreover, the great chiefs prohibited -the raising of deformed children, as ordinarily they considered this a -great sin. - -In later years the secret was let out by some Indian women, and thus it -found its way among the Spanish and American settlers, when many cases -of abortion were due to the use of this herb--a universal practice of -modern civilization with its accompanying evils of genocide and other -evils of a criminal nature. - - - Kidney diseases. - - - CROTON CORYMBOSUS - (_Ind. O-chot-pa-wish_) - -Spurge. Its habitat is in the southern Mojave sand dunes. This beautiful -shrub, like many of the other desert plants, seems to select the worst -of soils to grow in, and is often to be found in crevices of mineralized -dykes of crystalline rocks. The infusion made from the plant cured -kidney infections. - - - EPHEDRA - (_Ind. Tut-tut_) - -The Tea of the Indian is found in the swamplands of the coastal regions. -The infusion made from the leaves and blossoms was taken internally for -pleurisy of the kidneys. - -An infusion made separately from the roots was also used internally to -relieve severe cases of gonorrhea and painful bloating of the stomach. -This remedy is very effective and highly esteemed by the Indians as one -of the royal plants for the cure of these dangerous ailments, which take -the lives of so many of the white race. - - - APIUM - (_Ind. Se-ma-mek_) - -American Parsley. Its habitat is the swamps and coastal regions. The -infusion made from this plant was taken regularly and in preference to -water or any other beverage for chronic diseases of the kidneys. - -The tea is very rich in flavor and pleasant to the taste. The patient -should partake of as much as one half gallon per day and also eat an -equal amount of it. The plant having been domesticated it is no trouble -to get it anywhere. Even butcher shops and vegetable dealers sell it. - - - XANTHIUM CANADENSE - (_Ind. Cho-co-late_) - -American Cocklebur. It grows everywhere in California, being found in -every swamp and pasture land--a veritable nuisance to the cattle raiser. - -From the medical standpoint, however, the plant is very valuable to the -members of both sexes who are suffering from diseased kidneys -complicated with gonorrhea, diseases which, when allowed to take their -own course, will in due time develop into tuberculosis, rheumatism, and -finally total paralysis of both the upper and lower limbs, as has -happened in such cases. - -The introduction of these maladies occurred with the advent of the white -race into our territory and this caused the Indians to go into further -botanical research to find the proper plants to combat and conquer these -dreadful diseases. I introduce the world in general to two other sister -plants, and also three belonging to a different group. - - - CENTAUREA MELITENSIS - (_Ind. Se-sa-naa_) - -American Star Thistle. - - - XANTHIUM SPINOSUM - (_Ind. O-yu-mo-val_) - -American Spiny Cocklebur. - - - MALVACEA RUBRA - (_Ind. E-ya-wa-manka_) - -American Creeping Rock Mallow. Spanish _Yerba Mora Real_. - - - Venereal diseases. - - - CERCOCARPUS BETULAEFOLIUS - (_Ind. Man-geet_) - -American Mahogany Shrub. Its habitat is in the California hills and -mountains, and it is quite common. The bark and roots were made into an -infusion and taken by the Indians for venereal diseases or gonorrhea -gleet. - - - CENTUNCULUS - (_Ind. Pepe-nel_) - -American Pimpernel. Its habitat is on the northern slopes of the highest -mountain peaks of California, at an elevation of from eight to ten -thousand feet above sea level. This wonder plant is made into a tea and -taken in acute cases of gonorrhea, where the bladder and urinal tract -fail to function. - - - EDIBLE FRUITS OF SHRUBS - -The plants listed here are common in our California mountains: - - _Arctostaphylos_ Manzanita Berry - _Sambucus pubens_ Elderberry - _Ribes glutinosum_ Wild Currant - _Ribes amarum_ Gooseberry - _Prunus serotina_ Wild Black Cherry - _Prunus ilicifolia_ Hollyleaf Cherry - _Heteromeles arbutifolia_ California Holly Berry - _Vitis vulpina_ Wild Grape - _Rubus villosus_ Wild Raspberry - _Rhus trilobata_ Squaw Bush Berry - _Rhus integrifolia_ Lemonade Berry - -These berries should be eaten sparingly, as the acidity contained in -them is much stronger than that of citric acid. Their chief use is to -quench the thirst, where water is scarce in the mountains, either when -hunting or hiking, or engaged in fighting forest fires. For this purpose -the berries above will be found excellent and a veritable boon. Everyone -traveling in desert or mountains should make himself familiar with the -plants and fruits growing therein, as this knowledge not only permits -him to guard against possible discomfort or hardship, but has also been -the means of saving life. The Indians knew that better than anyone else. - -No doubt, the following literary effort in the English language by Chief -Pablo will set the risibilities of my readers to working. Als, the -Chief, never had the benefit of a school education, and English wasn't -easy for him to acquire. However, he was game, and in 1908, when he was -appointed Chief of the Indian Reservation, he bravely set to work and -wrote this article. - -He was sixty-four years old then. Nothing would do but he must have a -typewriter. Right manfully he tackled it, but when he had finished he -heaved a tremendous sigh and declared he'd rather go on the warpath than -pound a typewriter again. - -But he surely deserves great credit and his record as Chief of the -Indian Police was a brilliant one. - - - - - The Legend of Console Mineral Springs near Homuba Canyon - - -The canyon has been known as Homuba among the Indians for many years. -And on that canyon there are three mineral springs. They are located -near Loma Linda. It is southeast from Loma Linda, way up in the canyon, -a distance of three miles. - -Professor J. Console, an Indian friend, is the owner of the mineral -springs nowadays. In the early days the Indians called the springs -_Phal-poole_, _Phal-quapekalet_, _Hickescah-heppasca_, which means Witch -Springs, Life Springs, Sisters and Brother Springs. - -Those three springs were discovered in this way. There were Indian -settlements all over that country, near the springs and around the -springs. One day three Indian children, two sisters and one brother, -went up the canyon and disappeared in those springs. The father and -mother and other relatives of the missing children followed the tracks -of the children until they came to the springs. After having tried -everything to find them, the father and mother and the relatives in -their sorrow went to the witch-doctors to see if they could help them -find the children. Then one witch-doctor said: - -"Come with me and I will show you where your children are and how they -disappeared in those springs. You may not see them but you will hear -them, and you will have to be satisfied." - -So the children's family went there and the witch-doctor stopped at the -center spring and said: - -"Listen to the Great Father who is above us, the Creator of the world. -He has taken your boy and put him in this spring, so that this spring -will bring health to you and to others." - -Then the witch-doctor walked up to the spring and spoke: - -"Brother, your father and mother and all the relatives are here, and -they would like to hear from you." - -Then a voice arose from the spring and said: - -"I am here with my two sisters. We were placed here by our Lord, the -Creator of the world. He has given me the power to bring new life to -those who are sick. You may come and visit me and my sisters whenever -you wish. My elder sister is in the spring on the east side of me, and -my younger sister in the spring on the west side of me. But we are all -three in this one place, and if you will live together and honor the -great Lord, when you are sick if you will use these life springs, we -will help you get back your health. These springs shall be known as the -'Two Sisters and Brother Life Springs.'" - -And all the people listened. Therefore the Indians went up there and -held a great ceremony, and from then on they used the springs for -medical purposes. - -Then the Catholic missionaries came to this country and established the -missions. They took the Indian children by force and made them -Catholics. And these Christians also went up to the springs and used -them for many years. - -Later on the United States Government came to this country and took -these lands and gave the Indians reservations for their use. And the -Indians had to leave the springs, which originally belonged to them. - -When the mission was first built at San Gabriel the priest asked an -Indian: - -"Why do you Indians take your children, when they are sick, to those -springs, instead of taking them to a doctor?" - -And the Indian answered: - -"Father, the springs at Homuba Canyon can cure any sickness. That is why -we take our children there when they are sick, and they are healed. Our -ancestors used those springs and became healed." - -Then the priest went up to the springs to examine the water, and he took -some of the water and made the Indian carry it to the chapel, and he -blessed the water, and held Mass with it, and used it to cure the sick. -And, finally, the priest moved the mission from San Gabriel to San -Bernardino. Old San Bernardino is now known as Redlands. The mission was -established there. It is about three miles from the springs. And from -there the priest used to send the Indians to bring the waters to the -mission, using it as medicine. And he cured many sick Indians. - -Now there were two Indian villages nearby, and they fought over the -possession of those springs. They went on the warpath over the Two -Sisters and Brother Life Springs. So the mission went away and settled -elsewhere, and the priest also went away. - -Then our white neighbors came, as I said, and drove the Indians from our -sacred springs. That is why the Indians are dying out in Southern -California, because we must live on worthless lands far away from those -springs. - -Our white neighbors may think we Indians have no religion, but that is -not so. We do believe in God who is the Creator of the world, and of the -firmament, of Indians as well as white people.... Therefore we are -brothers in God, as we are created by God. - -I often hear white people say they are Americans in America, and we are -Indians. I say we are the native sons of America. We are good to our -country and to our white neighbors, and do not trouble them. When the -missions first came to this country the Indians were numerous and the -country well inhabited by the Indians. Then the Indians did not know -that the country was going to be filled with intoxicating liquor. If -they had known that, they would never have allowed the missionaries to -establish any missions in this country. For a great number of Indians -died of intoxicating liquor. - -However, the United States Government made a law prohibiting the sale of -intoxicating liquor to the American Indians. But by that time it was too -late. The American Indians are nearly all gone. But maybe a few will be -saved. - -It was in 1908 that special officers suppressed the liquor traffic among -the mission Indians in Southern California. The chief of these special -officers came to me and asked: - -"Why is it that you are always fighting the whites?" - -"Because they are all liars, thieves, and whisky peddlers," I answered. - -He looked at me and said: - -"Am I a liar and a whisky peddler?" - -"No," I answered. "You do not look like one. I think you are on the -square." - -So he said to me: - -"I want you to work with me on the same job." - -"What job do you mean?" said I. - -"To suppress the liquor traffic among the mission Indians," he said. - -So I was deputized as Special Officer since then, and I became Chief of -Police in the Indian Service for nine Indian reservations under the -United States Government, to protect the Indians, to make transactions -for the Indians, and to help them become sober, improve their morals, -and become civilized. In 1847 if the United States Government had sent -us a man like Mr. C. T. Coggeshall, who is the superintendent of the -nine Indian reservations, the Indians would never have lost the Two -Sisters and Brother Life Springs. Mr. Coggeshall is a man with large -experience and he has done a lot of good for the Indians under his -jurisdiction. - -However, I am glad that Mr. John Console owns the springs, because he is -a friend of the Indians. He helps the Indians with those springs. The -springs cure light sickness, but for serious sickness we have to use -herbs. - - Chief William Als Pablo - - - - - Index of Herb Application: - - - A - Aids to Living: - Basket-making, 59, 63 - Compass, 48 - Deodorizer, 37, 52 - Disinfectant, 12, 15, 37 - Fire-making, 64 - Fishing, 47, 61 - Horse-racing, 36 - Hunting, 34, 52, 53 - Insect repellant, 63 - Jewelry-making, 51 - Lightning-repellant, 40, 41 - Revitalization, 43 - Sunstroke preventive, 22 - Talismans, 42, 51 - Thirst-quenchers, 47, 48, 70 - Toy arrows, 64 - Travel, 22, 47, 48, 64 - Weather forecasting, 47, 48 - Anemia, 42, 43, 62, 63, 64 - Appetite, Loss of, 62, 63, 64 - Arteries, Hardening of, 22 - Asthma, 19, 20 - - - B - Birth control, 67 - Bleeding: - After-birth, 14 - Navel, 56 - Wounds, 56 - Blood poisoning, 16 - Blood diseases, 21, 22, 28, 32, 33, 34 - Bronchitis, 19 - Burns, 12 - - - C - Catarrh, 24, 25 - Chills and fever, 26, 27 - Cirrhosis of the liver, 65 - Colds, 17, 18 - Colic, 7 - Constipation, 8, 9, 18, 20, 21 - Coughs, 17, 18, 19, 20 - Coughs, Chronic, 19 - Cuts, 15 - - - D - Dandruff, 37 - Diarrhea, 6, 7 - Dysentery, 7 - - - E - Eyes, Care of, 54 - - - F - Fever, eruptive, 5, 10 - Fever with headache, 10 - Fistulas, 12 - Foot infections, 11 - Fractures, 27, 28 - - - G - Gallstones, 65 - Gangrene, 16 - General medication, 48 - Gonorrhea, 68, 69, 70 - Grippe, 9 - - - H - Hair, Care of: - Color restorative and preserver, 13 - Dandruff, 37 - Shampoo, 40 - Tonic, 6, 14, 37, 40, 57 - Household needs: - Bleaching, 39, 58, 59 - Cleaning (soaps), 39, 40 - Dyeing, 55, 56, 65 - Food, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 70 - Ink, 65 - Mattresses, 55, 58 - Stain removal, 39 - Tanning, 55, 56, 65 - - - I - Inoculation, 11, 63 - Insomnia, 22, 23, 60, 65 - - - K - Kidney diseases, 21, 22, 68, 69, 70 - - - L - Liver complaints, 65 - Lung fever, 9, 20 - Lung hemorrhages, 19 - - - M - Measles, 10, 60 - Measles, Black, 5 - - - O - Overweight, 66 - - - P - Pain, 22, 23, 60, 65 - Pneumonia, 19, 20 - Poisons, 34, 36, 52, 65 - Poison antidotes, 16 - Arrow, 34, 52, 64 - Insect bites, 34, 63 - Poison ivy, 11 - Poison oak, 11 - Rattlesnake bites, 34, 43, 44, 63 - Scorpion stings, 34, 63 - Tarantula bites, 43, 44 - Prostate-gland infections, 21 - Ptomaine poisoning, 49 - - - R - Rheumatism, 19, 20, 59, 60, 61 - Ringworms, 38 - - - S - Scalp infections, 13, 14, 37, 38 - Scrofula, 60, 61 - Sinus infections, 24 - Skin diseases, 11, 13, 65 - Eruptions, 11, 13, 17 - Pimples, blackheads, etc., 65 - Seven-year-itch, 12 - Smallpox, 5, 10, 60 - Sores, 17, 68 - Infected, 15 - Running, 12 - Splinters, Removal of, 16 - Spleen, Diseases of, 40 - Stomach-ache, 8 - Stomach disorders, 6 - Bloating, 68 - Colic, 7 - Congestion, 8, 68 - Constipation, 8, 9, 18, 20, 21 - Fevers, 8, 9 - Upset stomach, 7 - Worms, 6 - Sunstroke, 22 - - - T - Teeth, Care of, 25 - Pyorrhea, 24, 25, 26 - Tooth-ache, 24, 25, 26, 34 - Tetanus, 16 - Thorns, Removal of, 16 - Throat ailments: - Diseased throat glands, 60 - Sore throat, 17, 18 - Trachoma, 34 - - - U - Ulcers, 11, 12 - - - V - Various diseases, 48 - Venereal diseases, 68, 69, 70 - - - W - Women's diseases, 14, 15, 60 - Birth control, 67 - Childbirth, 14, 16, 50, 56, 67 - Menstrual difficulties, 14, 15, 60 - Wounds, 15, 16, 56 - Major, 16 - - - - - _Index of Herbs_ - - - A - _Achillea millefolium_, 24 - _Adiantum capillus-Veneris_, 5, 60 - Agave, 37 - Alligator pear, 25 - _Allium biceptrum_, 62 - _Allium canadense_, 63 - _Allium vineale_, 63 - _Ambrosia artemisifolia_, 13 - _Andromeda polifolia_, 24 - _Anemopsis californica_, 15 - _Antennaria margaritacea_, 11 - _Anthemis nobilis_, 7 - _Apium_, 68 - _Arctostaphylos glauca_, 70 - Arrow-wood, 64 - _Artemisia californica_, 14 - _Artemisia tridentata_, 5, 13 - _Asclepias syriaca_, 51 - _Astragalus mollissimus_, 36 - _Audibertias stachyoides_, 19 - Avocado, 25 - - - B - Bean, Mesquite, 57 - Berry, Holly, 70 - Ink, 65 - Juniper, 9 - Lemonade, 70 - Manzanita, 70 - Squaw-bush, 70 - _Bertholletia_, 64 - Blackberry, 7, 70 - Bottle-weed, 20 - _Brodiaea_, 40 - Button root, 37 - - - C - Cactus-pear, 16 - Cactus, Water-barrel, 47 - Camomile, 7 - Candlewood, Desert, 28 - _Capsella bursa-pastoris_, 7 - _Carduacea_, 16 - _Cascara sagrada_, 21 - Cat-tail, 56 - _Ceanothus divaricatus_, 40 - _Centaurea melitensis_, 69 - _Centunculus_, 70 - _Cercocarpus betulaefolia_, 70 - _Chaparral_, 40 - _Chenopodium ambrosioides_, 14 - Cherry, Holly-leaf, 18, 70 - Cherry, Wild black, 18, 70 - _Chlorogalum pomeridianum_, 39 - _Chrysanthemum Parthenium_, 60 - _Clematis ligusticifolia_, 17 - Cocklebur, 68 - Cocklebur, Spiny, 69 - Coffee-berry, 21 - Cottonweed, 11 - _Cracca virginiana_, 15 - Creosote bush, 5, 14, 37 - _Croton corymbosus_, 68 - _Croton setigerus_, 61 - Cucumber, Thorny, 38 - _Cucurbita foetidissima_, 39 - Currant, Wild, 70 - - - D - _Datura meteloides_, 43 - Deer-ears, 15 - _Dennstaedtia punctilobula_, 19 - _Dipsacus glutinosus_, 6 - Dove weed, 61 - - - E - _Echinocactus acanthoides_, 47 - Elderberry, 5, 10, 70 - Elm, 27 - _Ephedra_, 5, 21, 68 - _Equisetum hyemale_, 21 - _Eriodictyon californicum_, 20 - _Eriodictyon glutinosum californicum_, 5, 19 - _Eriogonum_, 25 - _Eriogonum elatum_, 20 - _Eriogonum elongatum_, 22 - _Eriogonum umbellatum_, 49 - _Erythaea muehlenbergii_, 8 - _Eschscholtzia californica_, 34 - _Eupatorium purpureum_, 18 - _Euphorbia_, 13 - - - F - Fern, Bracken, 58 - Fern, Hay-scented wild, 19 - Fern, Maidenhair, 5, 60 - Fern, Purple cliff-brake, 22 - Feverfew, 60 - _Fouquieria splendens_, 28 - Four O'clock, 10 - _Frasera_, 15 - Fuchsia, Wild, 12 - - - G - Garlic, Wild, 63 - Goldenrod, 12 - Gooseberry, Wild, 70 - Goosefoot, 14 - Gourd, Wild, 39 - Grape, Wild, 6, 70 - Grass, Blue star-flower, 6 - Grass, Deer, 34 - Grass, Pepper, 66 - Grass, Salt, 66 - _Grindelia cuneifolia_, 11 - _Grindelia squarrosa_, 15 - Gum plant, 11, 15 - - - H - _Hedeoma pulegioides_, 7 - _Helenium autumnale_, 24 - _Helenium nudiflorum_, 24 - _Heteromeles arbutifolia_, 70 - Holly-berry, 70 - Holly, White woolly, 5, 20 - Horehound, 18 - Horsemint, 8 - Horsetail, 21 - _Hosackia glabra_, 34 - - - I - _Ilysanthus brachiatus_, 23 - Inkberry, 65 - _Iva axillaris_, 67 - - - J - Jimson weed, 43 - Joe-pye weed, 18 - Juniper, Desert, 9 - _Juniperus californica_, 9 - - - K - _Kalmia latifolia_, 52 - - - L - _Larrea mexicana_, 5, 14, 37 - Laurel, Mountain, 52 - Leek, House, 47 - _Lepidium epetalum_, 66 - Lettuce, Miner's, 62 - Lilac, Wild, 40 - _Lippia lanceolata_, 60 - Locoweed, 36 - _Lophophora williamsii_, 37 - - - M - Mahogany shrub, 70 - Mallow, Common, 8 - Mallow, Creeping rock-, 70 - _Malva rosa_, 26 - _Malva rotundifolia_, 8 - _Malvacea rubra_, 70 - _Marrubium vulgare_, 18 - _Mentha canadensis_, 23 - _Mentha spicata_, 23 - _Micrapelis micracarpa_, 38 - _Micromeria douglasii_, 23 - Milkweed, 51 - Mint, 23 - _Mirabilis californica_, 10 - _Monardella villosa_, 8 - Monkey flower, 6 - _Montia perfoliata_, 62 - Moorwort, 24 - _Morajaum_, 10 - - - N - Nettle, Stinging, 59 - _Nicotiana glauca_, 60 - - - O - Oak, Live, 55, 56 - Oak, Poison, 11 - Oak, Red, 25 - _Ocotillo_, 28 - Onion, Wild, 62 - _Opuntia_, 16 - - - P - _Paeonia brownii_, 9 - _Panicum capillare_, 66 - Parsley, Wild, 68 - _Pellaea atropurpurea_, 22 - Pennyroyal, 8 - Pennyroyal, False, 23 - Pennyroyal, Mock, 7 - _Pentstemon cordifolius_, 12 - Peony, Wild, 9 - Pepper grass, 66 - Pepper plant, 5, 34 - _Persea americana_, 25 - _Phlox subulata_, 59 - _Phytolacca decandra_, 65 - Pimpernel, 70 - Pine, Scrub, 60 - Pine, Digger, 40 - Pink, Moss, 59 - _Pinus monticola_, 60 - _Pinus sabiniana_, 40 - _Piperacea_, 5, 34 - _Plantago major_, 16 - Plantain, 16 - _Platanus occidentalis_, 24 - Poppy, California golden, 34 - Poverty-weed, 67 - _Prosopis juliflora_, 57 - _Prunus ilicifolia_, 18, 70 - _Prunus serotina_, 18, 70 - _Pteris aquilina_, 58 - - - Q - Queen of the Meadows, 18 - _Quercus agrifolia_, 56 - _Quercus rubra_, 25 - _Quercus virginiana_, 55 - - - R - Ragweed, Common, 13 - _Ramona Polystachya_, 14 - Raspberry, Wild, 70 - _Rhamnus californica_, 21 - Rhubarb, Wild, 17 - _Rhus diversiloba_, 11 - _Rhus integrifolia_, 70 - _Rhus trilobata_, 63, 70 - _Ribes amarum_, 70 - _Ribes glutinosum_, 70 - _Rorippa nasturtium officinale_, 65 - _Rosa californica_, 8 - _Rosa gallica_, 26 - _Rosa Malva_, 26 - Rose, Wild, 8 - Rosemary, 48 - _Rubus villosus_, 7, 70 - Rue, Garden (Goat's), 15 - _Rumex hymenocallis_, 17 - - - S - Sage, 54 - Sage, Black, 19 - Sagebrush, 5, 13 - Sage, Green, 16 - Sage, White, 14 - _Salinia_, 66 - Salt grass, 66 - _Salix washingtonia_, 32 - _Salvia columbriae_, 54 - Salvia, White, 14 - _Sambucus pubens_, 5, 10, 70 - _Saponaria officinalis_, 40 - _Sempervivum_, 47 - Serum, Botanical, 11 - Shepherd's purse, 7 - _Sisyrinchium angustifolium_, 6 - Sneezeweed, 24 - Soap plant, 39 - Soapwort, 40 - _Solidago nemoralis_, 12 - Spanish Bayonet, 58 - Spearmint, 23 - Speedwell, 22 - _Spiraea salicifolia_, 18 - Spurge, 68 - Squaw bush, 63, 70 - Swamp root, 15 - Sycamore, 24 - - - T - _Tabardillo_, 33 - Tea of the Indian, 5, 21, 68 - Thistle, Star, 69 - Tobacco, Tree, 60 - _Trichostema lanatum_, 48 - _Tule_, 56 - _Typha latifolia_, 56 - - - U - _Ulmus pubescens_, 27 - _Urtica holosericea_, 59 - - - V - _Vanilla planifolia_, 25 - _Verbena hastata_, 9 - Verbena, Lemon, 60 - Vervain, 9 - _Veronica officinalis_, 22 - _Vitis vulpina californica_, 6, 70 - - - W - Watercress, 65 - Willow, 32 - Witch grass, 66 - Wormwood, 14 - - - X - _Xanthium canadense_, 69 - _Xanthium spinosum_, 69 - - - Y - Yarrow, 24 - _Yerba Mansa_, 15 - _Yerba Mora Real_, 69 - _Yerba Santa_, 19 - _Yucca whipplei_, 58 - - - $2.50 - - - THE BOTANICAL LORE OF THE CALIFORNIA INDIANS - - by - John Bruno Romero - (Ha-Ha-St of Tawee) - - Rare Indian lore collected and interpreted by a full-blooded Chu-Mash -Indian, who grew up among members of the Cahuilla tribe, is revealed in -this unique book. Written by a man who is anxious to share his ancestral -knowledge of the treasures in the Great Field of Nature, this volume -describes 120 medicinal herbs and gives recipes for their preparation, -their uses, their English and Latin names, and where they may be found. - - The collection presented here was hand-picked from 500 specimens -gathered by the author on a plant-hunting expedition on the Pacific -Coast and in Arizona. Only twenty-eight, it is said, are known to modern -medical science. - - For more than one hundred years, the Indians have kept to themselves -their profound knowledge of medicinal herbs and their application. -Meanwhile, if the Indian, with his intelligent and extraordinary -attachment to nature, had not preserved and replanted a large number of -these herbs, many of them would now be extinct. - - A close collaborator of the historical department of the Santa Ana -Museum in his native California, the author is known as a botanist of -such high order that some years back the British Museum sought his -assistance in assembling a remarkable collection of Pacific Coast -specimens of medicinal herbs and Indian artifacts. - - Mr. Romero, whose Indian name is Ha-Ha-St of Tawee, presents his -material in highly entertaining manner, and his remarks, some of them -_sotto voce_, are extremely apropos. Adding to the color of the book is -a wonderful legend written by the author's father, Chief Als Pablo, -Chief of Police of the Indian reservations in the Southwest at the turn -of the century. - - The book is dedicated to the memory of the author's uncle, Chief -William Pablo of Guana-pia-pa, medical herbalist and medicine man. It is -a unique treasury of authentic Americana, fortunately preserved for our -time. - - [Illustration: Vantage Press Logo] - - VANTAGE PRESS, INC. - 120 W. 31st St., New York 1 - - - JOHN BRUNO ROMERO - - [Illustration: John Bruno Romero] - -John Bruno Romero is a descendant of the Chu-Mash, once the largest and -most powerful of Indian tribes, whose domain included all the islands -along the California Coast, and, on the mainland, from the San Fernando -Mission northwest to San Francisco and north-northwest to the High -Sierras. - -Mr. Romero was born in Santa Barbara, where he studied Spanish and Latin -at the Franciscan School Mission, and attended the Sherman Institute, -where he was a student of English and scientific subjects. He was later -graduated from the Detroit Veterinarian College. - -At one time, the Cahuilla Indians controlled the lands of California -southward to the end of what is now the Mexican peninsula. When the -Chu-Mash tribe, in its later years, had dwindled in numbers, Mr. Romero -joined the Cahuilla tribe "to help fight the United States Government -for our land treaty rights." Today this tribe is the second oldest in -California and the strongest in membership. - -The author's interests are wide. He is a director of Indian Affairs for -seven Southern California counties, and while his principal hobby is -medicinal botany, he is also a collector of minerals, stamps, books, and -fossils, and dabbles in taxidermy. Fond of children, he has adopted and -reared ten orphans. At one time or another, he has worked as a surveyor, -explorer, geologist, and antho-botanist, and his home is a veritable -treasure trove of interesting archaeological, geological, and botanical -specimens which he has collected in the mountains and deserts of -Southern California and Arizona--in sections where the white man has -seldom traveled. - -In 1933 he discovered, in the Trabuco Hills, in Orange County, near Los -Angeles, the skeleton of a mastodon, one of the few uncovered in -Southern California. Paleontologists at the Los Angeles Museum made -varying estimates of the age of the bones, ranging from ten thousand to -a million years. - -In 1937, when the author was a junior geologist at the Santa Ana Museum, -he deciphered the hieroglyphics inscribed on some rocks found on the -Indian prayer grounds at the peak of a volcanic vent in La Piomosa range -in Arizona, which have been instrumental in providing historical -information about the life of the early Indians in the Southwest. The -inscriptions revealed the location of food and water in the surrounding -country and primitive conceptions of the supernatural. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Retained copyright information from the printed edition: this eBook is - public-domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected a few palpable typos. - ---In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by - _underscores_. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Botanical Lore of the California -Indians, by John Bruno Romero and Ha-Ha-St of Tawee - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOTANICAL LORE--CALIFORNIA INDIANS *** - -***** This file should be named 55009-8.txt or 55009-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/0/0/55009/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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