SMITHSO>JIAX AECH.i:OLOGICAL COLLECTION, bo 



denoting, perhaps, the nnmher of animals of a certain species, or of ene- 

 mies, killed by the wearer. Possibly the notches may form the enumer- 

 ation of transactions of a more peaceable character. Similar "records" have 

 been noticed among the prehistoric relics of Europe. Several objects in 

 the collection, undoubtedly ornamental in their character, are shaped like a 

 heart, which was among the ]S"orth American Indians, as well as with other 

 nations, the emblem of courage and of other manly qualities. One of the 

 specimens (Fig. 209, argillaceous slate) is derived from an Ohio mound, where 

 it was lying near the neck of the skeleton. 



The Smithsonian collection possesses a series of the well-knoAvn curious 

 relics intended to represent birds, the body, neck, head, and tail being clearly, 

 though clumsily, indicated. The place of the eyes is occasionally marked by 

 small bead-like elevations, somefunes, however, by unproportionally large 

 knob-shaped projections. These figures stand on flat bases pierced at their 

 extremities Avith diagonal holes Avhich often exhibit traces of wear. The 

 objects are generally made of soft stone, such as the often-mentioned green 

 striped slate; yet porphyritic syenite and other hard substances sometimes 

 foi-m their materials. A characteristic specimen of the collection (Fig. 210, 

 Pennsylvania) consists of striped slate. In this instance the eyes are indi- 

 cated by small round protuberances. The object is marked along the neck, 

 head, back, and tail with numerous notches, probably designed for ornament. 

 It is evident that these relics were Avorn in some Avay (perhaps as amulets), 

 and not used as knife-handles or for removing the husk of Indian corn, as has 

 been suggested. The latest theory, based upon information received from 

 an "aged Indian" is, that they Avere Avorn in olden times on the heads of 

 Indian Avomen, but only after marriage. One specimen of the collection, hoAV- 

 ever, made of striped slate, and finished in every respect, though left Avithout 

 the diagonal holes, Aveighs two pounds and one ounce. • It is incredible that a 

 Avoman should have AVorn such a hea\'y object on her head for the sake of 

 indicating her married state. Some very fine specimens in the ]^ational 

 Museum, evidently belonging to the class under notice, are not imitations of 

 the bird form, but are shaped alike at both perforated extremities (Fig. 211, 

 striped slate, mound in Ohio). 



The objects hitherto treated may be denominated ornaments with some 

 degree of safety ; but avc include here, for want of a better designation, a few 

 other classes of typical articles Avhich possibly Avere intended for purposes of 

 a useful rather than a decorative character. Among them are small carefully 

 Avorked objects shaped like cylinders with iuAvardly curved side-surfaces. 

 These objects are perforated lengthwise, or shoAV at least the beginnings of 

 perforations at both ends, and bear on their side-surfiices incised ornamental 

 lines. The round (sometimes oval) flat extremities are likcAvise ornamented 

 Avith engraved lines and dots, dilTering in their pattern from the decorations 

 on the curved sides (Fig. 212, fine-grained argillaceous sandstone, Kentucky) . 

 The mode of their application has not been ascertained. It has been sug- 



