ANCIENT POTTERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 



149 



The peculiar character of this class of heads is well shown in the 

 series given in Fig. 29. The result of my observations is, that 

 they are possibly attempts to model in clay the mythical plumed 



Fig. ^o.- 



-Pecan Point, Ark. — J. 



serpent which is so graphically delineated in the engraving upon 

 the little vase shown in Fig. 56. The fact that in one case legs 



have been added to the base of the body, militates against this 

 theory. Their resemblance to the gargoyle heads of medijeval 

 architecture, suggests the possibility of early European influence. 



