REPORT OF AGENT IN NEW           MEXICO.              411 
meanwhile, as occasion presents, scattering cornmeal over the snakes in the
mouths 
of the dancers. This is an offering to them, and a reminder that rain is
needed to 
grow the corn of which the meal is made. When the snakes are thrown down,

many of them scatter and crawl in every direction. They are caught by the
performers. 
They always take care, however, to pick them up only when out of coil. Of
course, 
many of these dancers are bitten, but they pay no attention to it, and it
does not 
seem to affect them. Scientific men who have had opportunities of observing
all pro- 
nounce the snake "simon-pure," genuine rattlesnake, and untampered
with. The 
only way they account for this apparent harmlessness is that the Indians
induce 
them to strike repeatedly at a stick just before the dance, thereby exhausting
their 
stock of virus. When the dance is over the snakes are all turned loose and
bidden 
God speed down the mesa, into the valley below. One thing connected with
the last 
two of these dances has been particularly unfortunate. Each of these has
occurred 
in a very dry season, and both have been immediately followed by heavy showers.

Whether this has been due to the efficacy of their supplications or was caused
by the 
commencement of the rainy season is a matter of opinion. But one thing is
certain, 
a hundred failures would not cause the Moquis to lose faith in the ceremony
or 
make them forget their two successes. 
I hope you will interest yourself in these strange people, and do all you
can for 
their benefit. They seem to have been forgotten in the past. No tribe under
your 
charge is more deserving, and none other offers any better field for labor;
none other 
will appreciate aid as much. Should there be any funds applicable to their
benefit 
for the current year, I hope they will be expended for them in the purchase
of imple- 
ments and tools; of these they will make. good use. They do not expect food
or cloth- 
ing. They should be proviled with some medicines, and, when possible, a school.

For the courtesies extended toward me by your Department I shall ever feel
grate- 
ful. Herewith is submitted statistical report. 
I am your humble servant, 
JOHN H. BOWMAN, 
Indian Agent. 
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.