STONE FORT AND OTHER ABORIGINAL REMAINS. 



123 



The Flat-heads, a numerous people inhabiting the shores of Columbia River, 

 and a vast extent of country lying to the south of it, resort to various mechanical 

 contrivances to effect the flattening of the head; and the model of deformity is the 

 same throughout the different bands, consisting in a depression of the forehead 

 and consequent elongation of the whole head, until the top of tlie cranium becomes, 

 in extreme cases, a nearly horizontal plane. 



According to Mr. Townsend,^ "the mode by which the flattening is effected 

 varies considerably with the different tribes. The Wallamat Indians place the 

 infant, soon after birth, upon a board, to the edges of which are attached little 

 loops of hempen cord or leather. Other similar cords are passed across the back 

 in a zigzag manner, through these loops, inclosing the child, and binding it firmly 

 down. To the upper edge of this board, in which is a depression to receive the 

 back part of the head, another smaller one is attached by hinges of leather, and 

 made to lie obliquely upon the forehead. The force of pressure is regulated by 

 small strings attached to its edge, which are passed through holes in the board 

 upon which the infant is lying, and secured there. 



Fig. 64. 



Chinooks (Flat-heads), after Catlin. 



"The method practised by the Chinooks and others nearer the sea differs widely 

 from that of the upper Indians, and appears somewhat less barbarous and cruel. 

 A sort of cradle is formed by excavating a pine log to the depth of eight or ten 

 inches. The child is placed in it on a bed of little grass mats, and bound down 



' Tour to the Columbia River, p. 1T5. 



