I M P T. E M E N T S O I<^ STONE. 225 



calibre until it reaches the point where the cyhnder subsides into the mouth-piece, 

 when it contracts gradually to one tenth of an inch at the end. TIk; inner surface 

 of the tube is perfectly smooth, till within a short distance of the point of contrac- 

 tion. For the remaining distance the circular stria?, formed by the drill in boring, 

 are distinctly marked. The mound in which this rehc was found is sepulchral in 

 its character, and the burial had been made by fire. One end of the tube is some- 

 what discolored by the heat to which it was exposed. The carving, in this instance, 

 is very fine, and much superior to anything of which the Indians of this day are 

 known to be capable. 



No. 2 is a sketch of another tube, also found in one of the sepulchral mounds 

 near Chillicothc (see page 164). It is made of ditFercnt material, less beautiful 

 and more destructible than the one just described, — a variety of limestone. It 

 measures but six inches in length by three fourths of an inch in diameter ; the bore 

 is half an inch in diameter. The surface is much decomposed ; the spots which 

 have resisted corrosion are polished to the highest degree. The inner surface is 

 smooth, and retains a uniform calibre to within a short distance of the reduced 

 end, where it contracts, exhibiting the circular stria; before noticed. A qualifica- 

 tion of the remark respecting the calibre is perhaps necessary : at a point one inch 

 and a half from the smaller end is an ofliset in the bore. Whether this is the 

 result of accident or design, it is not undertaken to say ; probably the former, as 

 the feature has not been observed in any others which have fallen under notice. 

 As these tubes have been regarded with considerable interest, it is deemed proper 

 to note every circumstance respecting them, even though not considered of much 

 importance by the investigators themselves. 



Fig. 12.3 represents a tube of somewhat different character.* It is carved from 

 a dark, compact steatite, and measures ten inches in length by two inch(\s in 

 diameter at the larger, and one inch and a third at the smaller end. The bore is 

 proportioned to the diameter, and is one and one tenth, and six tenths ol" an inch at 

 the ends, respectively. Upon one side, as if to serve the double purpose of handle 

 and ornament, is carved in high relief the figure of an owl, attached with its i)ack 

 to the tube. This carving is remarkably bold and spin'ted, and represents the bird 

 with its claws contracted and drawn up, and head and beak ehnated as if in an 



* In tlio possession of J. Van Ci.eve, Esq., of navton. Ohio. 



29 



