In brief, the Seri face-painting would seem to be essentially
_zoosematic_, or symbolic of zoic tutelaries, and to signify
subspecific (or subvarietal) characteristics maintained by the clan
organization and kept prominent by the militant habit of the tribe;
at the same time it is noteworthy that the purely symbolic motive
is accompanied by a nascent decorative tendency, displayed by the
individual refinement of form and color in the symbol proper to each of
the groups.