432 ETHNOLOGY. 



point in the civilization of the people. The fragments have never been 

 found of sufficient size to indicate the original form of the vessel. 



In this connection it may be stated, in relation to the large shell-heaps 

 which are found along our coast, that it is probable they were formed 

 by periodical visitors who annually resorted to the sea-shore for a suj)- 

 ply of shell-fish for food. It is said that within the historic period the 

 Indians on the coast of New Jersey were in the habit of opening their 

 oysters and clams by the aid of fire, and of drying them on strings for 

 winter food. A custom of this kind would account for the remains of 

 pieces of charred wood which are found in these heaps without 

 adopting the hypothesis that they were the sites of kitchen moeddiugs. 

 These heaps were the result, i^erhaps, of thousands of years' accumula- 

 tion. 



It may also be remarked that on high ground I have generally found 

 no other implements than those which were used for the purpose of war. 

 This would appear to indicate that they were buried with warriors and 

 chiefs, according to the custom of the Indians of the present day, on 

 prominences, or elevated jutting points of land. Comparisons of this 

 kind are of importance to the study of archaeology, in the way of ex- 

 plaining facts of the past by reference to the usages of peoples of the 

 present in the same state of civilization. 



CATAIOGUE OF A CABINET OF INDIAN REIICS COLLECTED BY J. H. DE- 

 VEREUX, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, FROM THE YEARS 1848 TO 1868, INCLU- 

 SIVE, AND PRESENTED BY HDI TO, THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



Miscellaneous implements. 



1 to 26, inclusive. Knives or chisels, from Tennessee. 



27. Skiuning-stone, from Ohio. 



28. Hatchet or i^ick, from Ohio. 



29. Skiuning-stone, from Ohio. 



30. Skiuning-stone, from Ohio. 



31. Hatchet or pick, from Ohio. 



33. Chisel, or perhaps bark- or wood-wedge, from Ohio. 



34. Chisel, or perhaps bark- or wood-wedge, from Ohio. 

 35 to 36. Tomahawks, from Ohio. 



37. Skinniug-stone, from Ohio. 



38 to 40, inclusive. Skinning-stones, from Ohio. 



41. Chisel, from Ohio. 



42. Skiuning-stone, from Ohio. 



43 to 51, inclusive. Skinning-stones, from Ohio. 



52. Skinuing-stone, from Tennessee. 



52 to 58, inclusive. Skinning-stones, from Ohio. 



59. Skinning-stone, from Tennessee. 



60. Skinning-stone, from Ohio. 



61. Hatchet, from Ohio. 



