78 NEW YORK STATE MU'SEUM 



powder in a cloth bag, two melting ladles and 2500 wampum 

 beads. There were also some Jesuit bronze rings. 



Though this is a great quantity from one grave, attesting the 

 dignity or wealth of the inmate, some others probably exceeded 

 this in value when silver ornaments lavishly adorned the dead. 

 Nothing^ was too 2:ood if thev were reallv loved. The above 

 list is curious in showing the contemporaneous use of many 

 thino:s. 



In describing the foregoing articles the writer has not forgot- 

 ten that only those of native copper can be strictly called abo- 

 riginal, but the later ones illustrated or mentioned were used 

 by men still in their savage state, and in their own wild way. 

 They were features of Indian life here for two centuries, and 

 to understand that life we must know something of what was 

 in daily use. It has been deemed sufficient to merely mention 

 many things. Guns and all that appertain to them have been 

 omitted. Jew's-harps needed no illustration, unless of a plumed 

 and painted warrior playing on one. Thus many things are 

 omitted in the figures given as being well known in a general 

 way, while prominence has been given to others of prehistoric 

 age. Nearly half the figures are of native copper articles and 

 references are made to very many more. By far the larger part of 

 these have been found east of Cayuga lake, and north of the 

 southern watershed of the Mohawk valley. West of the Gen- 

 esee river and in the southeast part of the state few have been 

 reported. This may be the result of several causes now left 

 without discussion. 



The subject of metallic ornaments is left for another paper, 

 though incidental reference has been made to them in this. 

 They were very few in this state in prehistoric times, for readier 

 and more showy materials were found. Copper implements 

 were more in demand, for their touohness and durabilitv rec- 

 ommended them, even when stone could be more easily wrought. 

 They reveal trade and travel, and a skill of no mean order in 

 working with primitive tools. 



