18 CAVE RELICS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. 



case, adding greatly to its strength. Over all this was wound a net, which 

 appeared to have seen previous service. It was made of sinew twisted in two 

 strands, and with a mesh of about four inches diameter. The lower edges of the 

 net appear to have been hitched over wooden pegs, which project fi-om the inner 

 lower edge of the wooden band above described. Over the first net, a new net 

 composed also of sinew, but of three braided strands, and of six-inch mesh, was 

 again wound and secured with strong cords of sinew, braided in what seamen 

 call " square sennit." The braiding was most evenly and beautifully done, equal 

 to any modern work of the kind, and, in most places, the cord still retained much 

 of its original strength. Under the net was inserted a piece of wooden body- 

 armor, (17249,) composed of small round rods of proper size, united by sinew 

 cords, and with nicely carved wooden pieces about the arm holes. This is the 

 only piece of this aboriginal armor known to be in existence. It was fastened 

 behind with two loops of sinew, into which wooden buttons were inserted. The 

 small rods of which it is composed were about three-fourths of an inch in 

 diameter, and painted red. 



This armor, slight as it was, must have been a tolerably good protection 

 against the bone and stone arrow heads of the natives. There was also found, 

 stuck in the netting of this mummy case, when received at the Institution, a 

 short crutch-handled stick, with the point a good deal worn ; evidently one of 

 those which the natives still use to push their bidarkas about with in shallow 

 water. (17443.) 



Whether it was originally where we found it, is not certain, as the mummies 

 had been subject to much handling and inspection in San Francisco before they 

 were forwarded to Washington. No information of consequence was received 

 with them in regard to whether any of them were still suspended when found, 

 and the absence of any statement in regard to the matter, renders it likely that 

 they were not. The cords by which they were hung up, in the course of years, 

 would be likely, and would be the first portion, to give way. Yet that they Avere 

 originally so elevated is beyond doubt, as all of the packages are provided with 

 loops for the purpose, and we know by the accounts of the early voyagers, that 

 the natives were particularly careful to suspend the bodies of those for whom 

 they had special regard, in such a manner as to prevent their touching the 

 ground. 



Of the packages containing remains, two were given to the California Academy 

 of Sciences, and two others were so much injured that only the crania (which will 

 subsequently be referred to) were collected. Of those remaining, three were of 

 infants and the others of comparatively mature individuals. 



I. (17482.) Rolled up very compactly in tanned sea-lion skin and lashed Avith 

 " square sennit " of large caliber. The viscera had evidently been removed, but 

 the muscular and cutaneous tissues were in tolerable preservation. Under the 



