189 



souls, winging their way to the land of spirits, and be- 

 lieved to have an effect peculiarly soothiug to the con- 

 scious relies which each man bore. In conformity with 

 a kindred custom it is probable that this bundle of bones 

 was disinterred from their original grave and reburied in 

 the family or tribal lot. 



Dr. Johnson made some further observations relative 

 to the characteristics of the Indians, and expressed the 

 opinion, founded on the statements of the most reliable 

 historians, that the popular impression in regard to the 

 number of aborigines in New England during the early 

 settlements was very much exaggerated. 



Rev. E. C. Bolles gave a humorous account of the 

 remarks of the bystanders, and the impressions prevalent 

 among them, during the digging operations. He also 

 said that a microscopic examination of the hair and skin 

 found among the relics, revealed the fact that these were 

 the remains of the paw of a bear, which was an orna- 

 ment frequently worn by the red men. From the charac- 

 ter of the relics preserved it was evident that an Indian 

 of no little distinction was among those interred in this 

 grave. 



Before adjourning a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. 

 Isaac C. Wyman, the owner of the ground, to Messrs. 

 Eoundcy, Dolliver and other citizens of Marblehead, for 

 the interest they had manifested and the aid they had ren- 

 dered in enabling the members of the Institute to con- 

 duct the examination which had produced such important 

 results. 



