88 Description of some Sepulchral Pits of Indian Origin. 



and most perfect (fig. 1, Plate II.), and also the smallest of them 

 (fig. 2). The brass kettles were of rather neater workmanship than 

 the copper ; the lip being turned over in a scroll, and the hooks for 

 the handle well rivetted on to the vessel. 



The largest of the conch-shells weighs three pounds and a quartei-, 

 and measures fourteen inches in its longest diameter. Its outer sur- 

 face has lost all polish, and is quite honeycombed by age and decom- 

 position ; the inside still retains its smooth, lamellated surface. It 

 has lost all colour, and has the appearance of chalk. A piece has 

 been cut from its base, probably for the purpose of making the beads 

 that were found with it. Another of these shells is smaller in size, 

 and in better preservation, probably from having been originally a 

 younger shell ; its substance is Unimpaired by age, though it has lost 

 all colour. From the base of its columella a considerable piece has 

 been cut, in a regular and even manner, as if, too, for the purpose of 

 making the before-mentioned beads. The extreme point of the base 

 of each shell has a perforation through it {fig. 3). 



The axe is nearly of the same model as the present tomahawk in 

 use among the Chippeway Indians for their hunting excursions, though 

 very much larger, measuring eleven inches in length and six inches 

 and a half along its cutting edge, and weighing five pounds and a half 

 It must have lost considerable weight, as it is deeply indented I)y 

 rust ; it has no characteristic mark, but was recognised by the French 

 Canadians as being most likely of Fi-ench manufacture, and similar 

 ones have been found in the neighbourhood, on npwly cleaned land ; 

 no less than five of the same pattern were found under a stone neai' 

 Thunder Bay, a few years back, where they appeared to have been 

 placed for concealment. The metal of these axes is remarkably aood, 

 and easily converted into useful hoes by the Canadians (fig. 4). 



The pipe is imperfect. It is made of the earthenware of which so 

 many specimens are found in the neighbourhood, in the form of 

 vessels and pipes ; and the spots where the manufacture of these 

 things were carried on are still to be seen in some places (fig. 5). 



The Beads are formed of a white chalky substance, varying in de- 

 gree of density and hardness ; they ai-e accurately circular, with a 

 circular perforation in the centre ; of different sizes, from a quarter 

 to half an inch, or rather more, in diameter, but nearly all of the 

 same thickness, not quite the eighth of an inch; they may be com- 

 pared to a pepper nint lozenge with a hole through its centre. They 

 were found in bunches or strings, and a good many were still closely 

 strung on a fibrous woody substance. One of these strings was re- 

 marked as being composed of a row of beads regularly gi-aduated in 

 size, from the smallest to the largest. The above mentioned appear 

 to have been the characteristic objects contained in this pit. The 

 beaver-skin was found in pieces, but many of them in good preserva- 

 tion. The Bracelet is a simple band of copper, an inch and hnlf 

 broad, and fitting the wrist closely. The hair is long, evidently that 

 of a woman, and quite fresh in appearance. 



