256 



IMPLEMENTS. 



FIG. 177. 



At the time of the discovery of America, iron was absolutely 

 unknown to the natives, with the exception, perhaps, of a 

 tribe near the mouth of the La Plata, who had arrows tipped 

 with this metal, which they are supposed to have obtained 

 from masses of native iron. The powerful nations of Central 

 America were, however, in an age of Bronze, while the North 

 Americans were in a condition of which we find in Europe 

 but scanty traces namely, in an age of Copper. Silver is 

 the only other metal which has been found in the ancient 

 tumuli, and that but in very small quantities. It occurs 

 sparingly in a native form with the copper of Lake Superior, 

 whence, in all probability, it was derived. It does not appear 

 to have been ever smelted. From the large quantity of galena 

 which is found in the mounds, Messrs. Squier 

 and Davis are disposed to think that lead must 

 have been used to a certain extent bv the North 



*/ 



American tribes ; the metal itself, however, has 

 not, I believe, yet been found. 



Copper, on the other hand, both wrought and 

 unwrought, occurs frequently in the tumuli. 

 It is interesting to observe that the copper 

 arrow- or spear-heads (fig. 177) resemble the 

 American type of stone arrow-heads. The axes 

 have a striking resemblance to those simple 

 European forms which contain the minimum 

 quantity of tin, and as in them the socket, when 

 there is one, is made by flattening the copper 

 and turning over the edge (fig. 178) ; and some 

 copper Arrow-head, of the Mexican paintings give us interesting 

 evidence as to the manner in which they were handled and 

 used. These, however, were of bronze, and had, therefore, 

 been fused ; but the Indian axes, which are of pure metallic 

 copper, appear in all cases to have been worked in a cold 

 state, which is remarkable, because, as Messrs. Squier and 



