The Indians of northern California in building their homes dug
round, shallow holes, over which poles were bent in the form of
a half-circle, and then tied together at the top. Bark was laid
upon the outside, and earth was thrown over the whole structure.

[Illustration: FIG. 61.--HOLES IN ROCK, MADE FOR GRINDING FOOD]

"Sweat houses" were built in much the same manner, and were used
chiefly during the winter. When an Indian wished to take a sweat,
hot stones were placed in one of these houses, and after he had
entered and all openings were closed, he poured water upon the
stones until the room was filled with steam. After enduring this
process as long as he desired, the Indian came out and plunged
into the cold water of a near-by stream. As may be imagined, such
a bath often resulted disastrously to the weak or sick.

The fact that the California Indians could support themselves without
any great exertion undoubtedly had the effect of making them indolent,
while in the desert regions of the Great Basin the struggle for
something to eat was so severe that it kept the natives in a degraded
condition.

[Illustration: FIG. 62.--CALIFORNIA INDIAN BASKET]

The Indians of the Columbia basin built better houses than those
farther south. Where wood was abundant their homes were similar
in some respects to those of the coast Indians north of the mouth
of the Columbia. Fish was their main article of diet. At certain
seasons of the year, when salmon were plentiful, each tribe or
group of Indians established its camp near one of the many rapids
and waterfalls along the Columbia River. Large numbers of the salmon
were caught by the use of traps. After being partly dried they
were packed in bales for winter use. The fish thus prepared were
considered very valuable and formed an article of trade with the
tribes living farther from the river.

The Indians inhabiting the coast northward from the mouth of the
Columbia were different in many respects from those farther south
or inland. They built better homes, took more pains with their
clothing, were skilled in the making of canoes, and showed marked
ability in navigating the stormy waters of the channels and sounds.

[Illustration: FIG. 63.--HESQUIAT INDIAN VILLAGE

Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island]

The Vancouver Island Indians are called Nootkas, from the name of
an important tribe upon the west coast. Those of Queen Charlotte
Islands, still farther north, are known as Haid