50 NEW YORK STATE MUSEI'M 



point was left a little open for suspension. If an arrowhead 

 was desired, it was rolled tightly so as to make a sharp point. 

 Fig. So shows one of the latter, in the Hildburgh collection, 

 which has part of the slender shaft remaining. It was found in 

 Livingston county, where the form is frequent. Fig. 148 is 

 another, belonging to G. W. Chapin of Fonda N. Y. and was 

 found on Briggs creek, north of the Mohawk river. The writer 

 has seen many on the Pompey, Owego and Cayuga sites, and 

 they abound in Ontario county. Fig. 183 is a fine example, 

 recently found at Indian hill in Pompey. 



In these selections from a great number of specimens and 

 figures, it will be seen that the Iroquois changed the material 

 but not the form of the arrowhead. Probablv nine out of 10 

 are simply long triangles, the favorite Iroquois form when they 

 used stone. The rolled and cylindric examples do not differ 

 much in form from the earlier ones made of horn. Those with 

 stems are everywhere rare, and some were not made bv the 

 Indians, but sold to them or given as presents. Most persons 

 are familiar with the iron arrowheads used bv our western 

 tribes but they are hardly a new feature of savage life. Some 

 Abenakis came from New England to visit Count Frontenac 

 in 1691 and proffer him their aid. In reply he told them they 

 might have all the iron arrowheads they could carry away. 

 This shows he had a constant and abundant supply. 



Brass kettles 



The earthen pot survived the coming of the brass kettle for 

 a generation, for poor Indians could make the former when 

 unable to buy the latter. The advantages of the metallic vessel 

 were too great, however, to be foregone except in case of need. 

 It was light, durable and convenient, and was at once a favorite. 

 Even to the happy hunting grounds its spirit could go with the 

 Indian warrior. Hence came a curious custom among the 

 Hurons of Canada, alwavs in earlv davs noted as thieves. The 

 articles were valuable and the graves might be robbed. The 

 safeguard was to cut a hole in the bottom with an axe, which 



