Plants Used by the Indians of the United States

Abstract

[ Concluded.] Tertile Plants.YUscCC baccata. This is one of the most useful plants to the Indians of New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California. Its fruit is eaten while fresh and in the dry state. It grows from two to eighteen feet in height, and becomes a tall tree further southward, varying in diameter from eight to twenty inches. The bodies of these plants are very fibrous. The Indians and Mexicans when in want of soap cut the stems into slices, beat them into a pulp, and mix them with the water in washing as a substitute for soap, for which it answers finely. The leaves are generally about two feet in length and are very fibrous. In order to remove the bast the leaves are first soaked in water, then pounded with a wooden mallet, at the same time occasionally plunged into water to remove the liberated epidermis. Then if not sufficiently clean and white it is returned to the water for a time and again put through the beating process; generally the second course is sufficient. The fibres of the leaves being strong, long and durable are adapted for Indian manufactures, and the savages of Southern California make therefrom excellent horse blankets. All the tribes living in the country where this plant is found, use it to make ropes, twine, nets, hats, hair brushes, shoes, and