Page 65 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OP HOPILAND 57

hausted in a single day 's search, for subsequent jour
neys about the mesas brought to light many other
plants that have place in Hopi botany.
It is surprising to find such a general knowledge of
the plants of their country as is met with among the
Hopi. No doubt this wonder arises among those who
live the artificial life of the cities. The Hopi is a true
child of the desert and near to the desert's heart. His
surroundings do not furnish clear streams, grassy
meadows, and massy trees ; there is much that is stern
and barren at first glance, and there is a meagerness
except in vast outlooks and brilliant coloring. Here
Nature is stripped and all her outlines are revealed ;
the rocks, plains and mountains stand out boldly in the
clear air. Still, in all this barrenness there is abun
dance of animal and vegetal life which has adapted
itself to the semi-desert, and if one becomes for the
time a Hopi, he may find in odd nooks and corners
many things delightful both to the eyes and the under
standing.
There are few Hopi who do not know the herbs and
simples, and some are familiar with the plants that
grow, in the mountains and canyons, hundreds of miles
from their villages. Even the children know many of
the herbs, and more than once I have successfully
asked them for their Indian names. This is not strange,
because such things are a part of their education and
in this way they are in advance of the majority of
their civilized brothers. After a while the idea im- '