266 AKT IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. 



one of the ossuaries at Beverlj', Canada West. It is formed from some 

 large sea shell, and is three inches in width by three and three-fourths 

 inches in length. Its perforations are four in number, and are so placed 

 as to be conveniently used either for suspension by a single cord or for 

 fixing finnly by means of two or more cords. It seems to hold a mid- 

 dle place between pendants proper and the pierced tablets under con- 

 sideration.' 



The unique specimen given in Fig. 2 is from Cedar Keys, Florida, but 

 whether from a grave or a shell-heap I am at present unable to state. 

 In its ])erforations, which are large and doubly conical, it resembles very 

 closely the tyi)ical tablet of stone. The outline is peculiar; being 

 rounded at the top, it grows broader toward the base like a celt, and 

 terminates at the outer corners in well-rounded points, t';:e edge between 

 being ornamented with a series of notches or teeth. It has been cut 

 from the wall of a Busycon pervcrsum, and is sharply < urved. The sur- 

 face is roughened by time, but there is no evidence of wear by use 

 either in the i)erforations or in the notches at the ba ■■ \ 



In studying these remarkable specimens the fact that they so sel- 

 dom show marks of use presents itself for explanation. Dr. Charles 

 Eau, whose opinions in such matters are always worthy of considera- 

 tion, remarks " that at first sight one might be inclined to consider 

 them as objects of ornament, or as badges of distinction; but this view 

 is not corroborated bj' the appearance of the perforations, which ex- 

 hibit no trace of that peculiar abrasion produced by constant suspen- 

 sion. The classification of the tablets as ' gorgets,' therefore, appears to 

 be erroneous."^ 



The sanu^ argument could, however, be brought with equal force 

 against their use for any of the other jiurposes suggested. The perfo- 

 rations, if not used for suspension or attachment, would be subject to 

 wear from any other use to which thej- could be put. But, as we have 

 already seen, one of the specimens in shell exhibits well-defined evidence 

 of wear, and tliat of such a character as to indicate the passage of a cord 

 between the perforations in a position that would produce abrasion be- 

 tween the holes on the concave side of the jdate, but would leave the 

 back entirely unworn. This peculiar result could only be produced by 

 attachment in a fixed position, concave side out, to some object iierfo- 

 rated like the plate, the cord passing directly through both. The per- 

 forations of pendants necessarily show wear on both sides; a like result 

 would follow from the use of these plates iu any of the other ways men- 

 tioned. Those made of shell could not, on account of their warped 



' The ossuaries here mentioned are in tlie township of Beverly, twenty miles from 

 Dundas, at the head of Lake Ontario. They are situated in a primitive forest, and 

 were discovered upwards of thirty years ago through the uprooting of a tree. Large 

 numbers of skeletons had been deposited longitudinally iu trenches, with many imple- 

 ments, utensils, and ornaments. Two brass kettles were found iu one of the graves. 

 (SchouUraft : Red Races of America, p. 32(i.) 



^Rau: Arclueological CoUectiou of the National Mu,seum, p. 33. 



