72 



BULLETIN 87, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



A jacket, Cat No. 246430, U.S.N.M. (fig. 149), was taken from a 

 mummied body, which was recovered at a depth of 7 feet in the debris 

 of the Tularosa Cave. It is made up of thick feathered cord (fig. 

 M9 a) twined together in the same fashion as the rabbit skin or 

 feather robes of the Pueblos, Utes, California tribes, and other In- 

 dians of the West. The texture of the garment is practically formed 

 of one cord passed to and fro side by side until a wide band of proper 

 length to girt the body was formed, and the twining string, which 

 is in some cases dark blue, inclosed the upper series of loops, which 



Pig, 149. — Feather jacket fuom Tularosa Cave. 



were twined flatwise, forming an ornamental border. A belt of dog's 

 hair (see fig. 150) held the jacket in place, and a loin band consist- 

 ing of a hank of cords dyed pink with juice of some fruit passes be- 

 tween the limbs and is supported on a cord which goes through the 

 loop end and around the waist. The method of wearing the garment 

 is shown in this figure. The jacket reminds one of the rod-armor 

 jackets which were used extensively among the American Indians, 

 and possibly the idea of protection against arrow wounds, as well as 

 the requirements of personal comfort may have been connected with 

 its use. It is a matter of great interest and importance to be able 



