THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 69 



very simple, consisting only of a powerful and muscular mouth armed with strong teeth, and of an intestinal 

 tube wound twice round the inside of the shell. 



All are not of a globular shape. Some are so depressed as to be popularly known as Sea-Pancakes. 



Lizard-tailed Star-fishes, or Brittle Stars. 



In the lower part of the case are fine specimens of Turtles. 



They have the faculty of falling to pieces, or at least of throwing off the ends of their rays when siezed or oth- 

 erwise alarmed. 



UPPER GALLERIES. 



EAST END, NORTH SIDE. Geological and Mineralogical collections, not yet arranged 

 for public exhibition. 



CASE 63. 



SOUTH SIDE. Human Skulls from the Feejee Islands, New Zealand, California, Mexico, 

 North American Indians, &c. One of the Skulls is of Vendovi, the Feejee Chief and Mur- 

 derer. 



There are 150 skulls in this case, which is one of the most interesting in the collection, and calculated to ex- 

 cite feelings very different from those experienced in examining any other specimens. 



Window Case. Skull of an Elephant. 



The other cases in this gallery are devoted to Skulls and Skeletons. They are not ar- 

 ranged for exhibition. 



The large mounted skeletons in the windows are those of the Ostrich and the Lama. 



WEST GALLERY SOUTH SIDE. 



One of the most extensive and curious ethnological collections in the world. Passing to 

 the eastern extremity of the gallery commence at 



CASE 70. 



Specimens from the North American Indians, including Head Dresses. ...Canoes.... 



Feather Blankets Water-Baskets Indian Cradles Water-Bottles of the Utahs 



Indian Pillow, stuffed with Buffalo hair. ..Bows and Arrows... Pipes, &c., &c. 



Among the most interesting articles are specimens of the Calumets or Pipes of Peace, and the Wampum Belts. 

 The bowls of these pipes are always made of one particular kind of stone of a cherry red color, brought from a 

 quarry which the Indians believe consists of a huge army of Red Men whom the Great Spirit turned at once 

 into stone. The shaft is usually young ash. Wampum is the Indian name for ornaments manufactured by 

 the Indians of parti-colored shells, which they get on the shores of fresh-water streams, and file and cut into 

 bits of half an inch in length, and perforate, giving to them the shape of pieces of broken pipe stems, string on 

 deer sinews and wear on their necks, or weave ingeniously into war belts. Wampum was used as a circulating 

 medium instead of coin. 



CASE 71. 



Collections made by the U. S. Exploring Expedition in the Feejee Islands... Cannibal 



Cooking Pots. 



The Feejees are Cannibals. The flesh of women is preferred to that of men, and that part of the arm above 

 the elbow and the thigh are regarded as the choicest parts. So highly do they esteem this food, that the 

 greatest praise they can bestow on a delicacy is to say that it is as tender as a dead man. 



Vessel for mixing oil. ..Fishing Nets of twine, from the bark of the Hibiscus. ..Flute of 

 Bamboo, and other musical instruments. ..Paddles. ..Mask and Wig worn' in dances. ..War 

 Conch, blown as the sign of hostilities. ..Fishing Spears. ..War Clubs... Feejee Wigs. 



The usual sign of mourning is to crop the hair, and as they are very vain, and the hair takes a long time 

 to grow again, they use a wig as a substitute. 



Native Cloth, worn as a turban on the head. 



None but Chiefs are allowed to wear this. The more the hair is distended, the greater is their pride. Bar- 

 bers are very important personages, and are employed on all occasions. 



Between Cases 71 and 72. Feejee Spears. ..Feejee Drum. 



Made of a hollow trunk of a tree. It is sounded by beating on the inner side with a mallet. It is said its 

 sound may be heard from seven to ten miles. 



CASE 72. 



Feejee Islands. Likus, or Petticoat worn by the Feejee Women... Sunshades, made of a 



