ORNAMENTS OF METAL, 



205 



tlie outer surfaces, two inches and nine tenths, — between the inner surfaces, 

 two and a half inches in diameter ; and weigh four ounces each. They 

 correspond exactly with some of the ruder ones, of the same metal, found in 

 the tombs of the ancient Egyptians. They were but partially bent together 

 before being placed upon the arm, after which they were closed as nearly as 

 practicable. 



The ornaments denominated, for want of a better name, gorgets, are frequently 

 found, but only, so far as observed, with skeletons, in the sepulchral mounds. An 

 engraving of one of these is presented, (Fig. 89,) which exhibits their general form. 

 The original, in this instance, measures eight and a half inches at the lower, 

 and seven and a half at the upper edge, and is four and a quarter inches broad. It 

 weighs five ounces. This is considerably above the average dimensions. They 

 are usually about the thickness of ordinary sheet copper ; and are always perforated 

 with two holes, placed at equal distances from the ends and somewhat above the 

 longitudinal centre, as shown in the engraving. This feature, and the fact that 

 they are uniformly found with skeletons, suggest that they were suspended around 

 the neck, resting upon the breast. There is one circumstance, however, that 

 seems inconsistent with this conclusion, namely, that none of the holes exhibit 

 the slightest elongation from wear. On the contrary, their edges are sharp as if 

 newly cut. Such could not have been the case with articles of this soft material 

 and extraordinary thinness, had they been suspended in the manner suggested. 

 The holes in the little silver crosses, found in the graves of the modern Indians, 

 are frequently worn so as to be nearly a fourth of an inch in length ; and yet they 

 weigh less than half an ounce, and are cut out of thicker plates of metal than the 

 broad copper ornaments here mentioned. Either these plates were worn only on 

 extraordinary occasions, or in such a manner that little or no friction was produced 

 by the cords by which they were sustained or fastened.* 



* RiBAULDE, who visited the shores of Florida in 1562, speaks of a chief who ' ' had hanging about his 

 neck a round plate of red copper well polished, with one other lesser one of silver, in the midst of it, and 

 at his ear alitlle plate of copper wherewith they use to stripe the swete from theyer bodjes." Sir Walter 

 Raleigh mentions, that the tribes, with which he held communication on the shores of North Carolina, 

 wore copper plates on their heads, which were badges of authority and indicated the chiefs. These plates 

 were so highly polished that they were, at first, mistaken for gold. It is not impossible that those found 

 in the mounds were worn in alike manner by the ancient people. The one described in the text was 

 found beneath the head of the skeleton with which it was buried. 



