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ABORIQINAX, DECORATIVE ART — KRIEQER 535 



He adds certain parts which convention dictates; or he may sini 

 plify and represent oidy what are to him the essential animal parts. 



The curved beak of the hawk is invariably represented as touching 

 the mouth on the under side, while the thunderbird, which wears 

 a cloud hat, has a larger beak. The raven has a long, straight beak, 

 while tiiat of the eagle is short and curved. Birds, even when they 

 take human form, are to be recognized by a beak added to an other- 

 wise human face. 



The beaver usually has a stick in its mouth, which it holds between 

 its paws. The large projecting incisor teeth and scaly Hat tail are 

 further characteristics. Certain mythical water monsters may take 

 on a variety of forms. Animal representations have erect ears placed 

 above the eyes, but are otherwise often difficult to distinguish from 

 human figures. Stock objects or fillers-in occupying the spaces on 

 the totem pole between the totemic crests are such minor animals as 

 frogs and ground worms. 



The bear is usually carved in a sitting position holding a stick 

 between his paws while his tongue i)rotrudes from his mouth. 



The shark carvings may be recognized even when rejjrcsented in 

 human form by three parallel markings on the cheeks representing 

 gill slits. The forehead rises in a triangular-shaped lobe, while 

 tlie downward-curved mouth is drawn back exposing sharp tri- 

 angular teeth. Other fish are distinguished by their fins. The 

 killer whale is characterized by the prominent dorsal fin. 



The most important thing in the life of the Indian is his crest or 

 totem. Representations of this animal crest are placed on every 

 conceivable object of daily use; they are even tattooed on his arms 

 and body and are painted on his face. The inheritance of a proper 

 kind of crest or totem determines an individual's chances for suc- 

 cess and for a favorable standing in the community. As he inherits 

 the crest or totemic animal protector from his mother's male rela- 

 tives, he makes it his business to erect a memorial column to his 

 maternal uncle as soon as he is financially able to do so. This totem 

 pole has carved on it, as mentioned before, the symbolical and often 

 di.stoiled or simplified animal figures representing his inherited 

 family glory or experience. It may be only after years of saving 

 and effort that an Indian is able to erect the column which firmly 

 establishes his place in the estimation of his fellows. 



INDIAN ART OF THE EASTERN WOODLANDS AND OF THE WESTERN 



PLAINS 



Design technic of eastern Indians. — As compared with the 

 numerous objects now housed in nmseums but originally collected 

 among Indian tribes of the western j)lains there is little material 



