Abstract
THE SAN BLAS INDIANS.-Recent references to the San Bias Indians of Panama in connexion with the occurrence of “White Indians” in Darien, and their uprising against the control of the Panama Government a month or two ago, give a topical interest to an article on these tribes by Mr. A. F. Loomis in Scribner's Magazine for June. They now number about 30,000. Those who live on the coast are skilled sailors, their canoes, logs hollowed by elementary tools without keel or deck, going out to sea when the weather is too rough even for coasting-schooners. Little is known of them; no one not of their race is allowed to remain within their territory at night. The women wear gold nose-rings, but the most characteristic feature of their dress is an upper garment of applique work which is made of pieces of coloured material sewn on to a cloth foundation in most intricate and highly conventionalised patterns. Large flat discs of beaten gold are worn pendent from the ears. Armlets and anklets of beads are wrapped so tight as to stunt the extremities. The marriage ceremony consists in carrying the groom to the girl's house and placing him in her hammock, whence he flies for two nights in succession. On the third night he lifts her veil and sees her face for the first time. The next morning he leaves his father's house, and the eating of the meal the bride has prepared concludes the marriage rite. The son-in-law resides with the bride's father and virtually becomes his servant.
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