307 



the arms. One was also made for the head ; but when the 

 dress was round the mummy no opening could be perceived. 

 When restored and cleaned, it will serve to illustrate the dress 

 of the ancient Peruvians, and, with the other utensils found 

 buried, will furnish data to determine the state of the arts and 

 condition of this interesting people. These articles consist 

 of fourteen vessels of burned pottery, of different sizes ; pip- 

 kins, jars with long narrow necks, and globular vessels with 

 small circular openings — some of remarkably fine workman- 

 ship, though they do not seem to be made on a wheel — 

 unglazed, bearing the marks of fire, and probably used as 

 cooking utensils by the deceased ; remains of a basket of 

 great beauty, so intricately woven as to be capable of hold- 

 ing water, and similar to those still in use in the central 

 parts of Africa; calabashes and rush baskets, interwoven 

 with coloured worsteds ; mats of a similar material, and 

 most elaborate workmanship ; an ancient Mexican pictorial 

 manuscript or hieroglyphic ; ornamental bags, one contain- 

 ing the leaves of some vegetable, and a wampum belt. The 

 variety and brilliancy of the colours are most remarkable ; 

 mostly all the textures are woollen. A piece of cloth, woven 

 in stripes of different colours ; eight arrows, or bolts ; the 

 model of a painted paddle ; a piece of fishing line, cable 

 laid, showing great art in its construction ; a miniature 

 stake-net, or fishing trammel, similar to those constructed 

 for a like purpose in Ireland. These latter articles lead to 

 the belief that this person was a fisherman. 



On the 1st of May the outer garment was removed, in 

 presence of a number of gentlemen, chiefly members of 

 the Academy, who had purchased the mummy by sub- 

 scription. The body was found in a sitting posture — that, 

 probably, in which the deceased had sat round the coun- 

 cil fires of his nation. The head is bent forward, ap- 

 proaching to the knees ; the left arm is bent, with the 

 hand turned in upon the chest ; around the fingers is worn 



