. Bulletin. Ethnology. 324 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 78 mortar was known throngh most of California, although generally as a subsidiary to the larger implement for the standard A^egetable foods. The metate is more important. The principal and larger form is for cracking the shells of tvo/cas seeds. It is an even-surfaced slab, generally of lava, irregular in shape, or circular, but not typically rectangular, and, as always in California, without legs or tilt. The muller has a round base and rises sharply into two horns or into a single peak bifurcated at the point (Fig. 27). These ho
. Bulletin. Ethnology. 324 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 78 mortar was known throngh most of California, although generally as a subsidiary to the larger implement for the standard A^egetable foods. The metate is more important. The principal and larger form is for cracking the shells of tvo/cas seeds. It is an even-surfaced slab, generally of lava, irregular in shape, or circular, but not typically rectangular, and, as always in California, without legs or tilt. The muller has a round base and rises sharply into two horns or into a single peak bifurcated at the point (Fig. 27). These horns slope and are held pointing away from the grinder, whose thumbs press against the incline while the fingers grasp the two sides of the implement. The very light stroke is back and forth, the pressure applied on the centrifugal movement. The operator does not kneel but sits behind the metate, Avith her legs under her, or, rather, to one side. So far as known, this is the invariable posture of the California woman at her metate. A smaller form is used by the Modoc for other seeds. The muller also has a circular base, but lacks horns and its tip is hemispheri- cal. It is perhaps made for one hand. The motion in this case is rotary. Metates with circular wear are found in other parts of California, but the operation by rotating does not seem to have been described elsewhere. The relation of the two types, of both to the hoppered slab mortar, and the possible history Modoc two-horned ^^ 'iH three fomis, are discussed in the chap- muiier for roimd ters ou the Maidu, Chunuish, Luiseho, and metate. ^ , .,, CaliuiUa. The Klamath and Modoc state that their two-horned muller was sometimes replaced by one with a loop handle. This is a northern form, and may represent a sporadic introduction from that direction. The preparation of ivokas, the most characteristic food of the region, was more largely a Klamath than a Modoc habit, the greatest source of supply of the large yellow water lil
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