644 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



the national collection are of problematic purpose. They were sent in 

 as armor by the collector, and from the thickness, weight, and other 

 points are evidently defensive. There is, however, no armhole on the 

 left side nor projection for the shoulder. In one suit the neck opening 



is large and is surrounded with a 

 leather-covered collar made of short 

 wooden slats, slightly interlocking, 

 held together with a cord twining. 

 In the other suit the collar is of 

 hide (pi. 22).* 



If these objects are defensive they 

 could scarcely be used by a man on 

 all fours for stalking, as they are 

 too Avide and long, and the arms 

 would be completely hampered. 

 They would be most useful as armor 

 for some animal. While one tribe-at 

 least (the Shoshones of the Upper 

 Missouri) is known to have protected 

 their horses with arm or, t the North 

 west Coast tribes did not have 

 horses. A further suggestion is 

 that they were ceremonial. 



These objects are noticed here 

 with the view of ascertaining their 

 function. 



Padded armor, which was used 

 in Mexico and Central America, is 

 the remaining type. No specimens 

 of Mexican padded armor are extant. 

 In some of the sculptures quilted 

 armor is perhaps represented by a 

 groundwork of small squares. A 

 search of the codices and an examina 

 tion of the sculptures will doubtless throw much light upon this subject. 



* DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 22. 



Fig 1, sl-in roltc. Of hide, roughly curried in tanning. The collar is a slight cut 

 on the left side which does not penetrate the inner fold. A painted, fringed band 

 lias been neatly sewn to the right side. On the inside is an elaborate totemic paint 

 ing. Length, 52 inches; width, 36 inches. Northwest coast. 



Fig 2, skin robe. Made of a largo tanned elk, or caribou, hide, doubled, the short 

 fold being inside. A collar composed of short interlocking slats, of wood, woven 

 together with cord in the manner of the slat armor and covered with leather, is 

 sewed to the neck. Fringed at the sides. Four bauds of fringed buckskin decorated 

 with colored grass are sewed on one side. Length, 54 inches; width, 32 inches. 

 (Cat. No. 74440, U.S.N.M. Alaska. Collected by J. J. McLean.) 



t See page 646. 



Fig. 5. 



ANCIENT KOREAN COTTON ARMOR. 



Cat. No. 128344. U.S.W.M. Korea. Deposited by 

 Dr. G. Brown Goode. 



