SCULPTURES 



257 



Fig. 155. The Bkaver. — Three sculptures of the beaver have been obtained 

 from the mounds, — all in the characteristic attitudes of that animal. The eno-raving 

 does not do justice to the original, which is better proportioned. These animals 

 were frequent in the North-western States, but have now almost entirely disap- 

 peared. The large head, blunt snout, small ears and eyes, peculiar claws, and 

 broad, oval, scaly tail, are all well characterized in the sculptures. 



The Otter. — Two sculptures of the otter have been discovered, one of which 

 represents the animal grasping a fish in its mouth ; it is however much mutilated. 

 That of which an imperfect engraving (Fig. 157) is given is composed of 

 the peculiar porphyry already described, and displays in a striking manner the 

 features of the animal. The flattened head, small mouth, almost imperceptible 

 ears, rounded body, and short but strong and fin-like legs, no less than the attitude 

 of the figure, enable us to recognise at once the most active, courageous, and 

 voracious of the indigenous amphibious animals. The otter is still found, in 

 limited numbers, about the waters of the North-western States. The eyes in 

 this specimen were formed by drilling a narrow but deep hole, which was filled 

 with a material of different color, resembling bone. In many instances small 

 pearls were inserted for eyes, some of which have been found retaining their 

 places, unreduced by the fire to which they have been exposed. This relic, in 

 common with all the mound sculptures, is delicately carved and polished. 



The Wild Cat. — Figs. 158, 159, 160. Of this animal and others of the same 

 genus a large number of sculptures have been obtained. One of these represents 

 the female animal erect ; the remainder are in characteristic positions. They are 

 very minutely sculptured, the whiskers and variegated color of the hair around the 

 head, as well as the general features of the animal, — strong jaws, short neck, and 

 short thick tail, — are all well exhibited. Fig. 160 presents a head slightly different 

 from most of the others. It bears a close resemblance to that of the cougar. 

 Most of these are exquisitely carved from a red, granulaterl porphyry, of exceed- 

 ing hardness, — so hard, indeed, as to turn the edge of the best tempered knife. 



Fig. 161 is a very spirited rc^presentation of the head of tlic elk, ahhough it is 

 not Miiiuitclv nccnriite. 



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