144 COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION AT MADRID. 



products of human action of the same class or similar classes (phylog- 

 eny); thirdly, in its historical evolution; fourthly, in its geographical, 

 original, and national distribution. 



Visitors are requested to begin the examination of this collection at 

 the left corner of the glass cases, and to go on examining from left to 

 right, and from the top to the bottom, as if they were reading a book. 



CASE I. 



Specimens of arrows from North America. This collection comprises the kinds used 

 by the aborigines of North America. 



By beginning the examination of the specimens contained in this case on the 

 left, they may be studied in their order from Labrador (including West Green 

 land) on the east and Alaska on the west, across the continent, to Mexico, above 

 the Aztec territory. 

 Plate armor. Composed of three layers of ivory plates 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. 



Every plate contains 6 holes, through which passes a thong made of deer hide, 

 which fastens them together. These plates are arranged like scales, in order to 

 afford better protection in war against the enemy s missiles. The lower part 

 contains 43 plates, and the middle 38. The upper row is composed of 2 sections : 

 One of 10 plates, protecting the breast, and the other of 8 plates, protecting the 

 upper part of the back. The armor is kept in place by leather straps. 



This armor greatly resembles that formerly used in Japan, which fact has given 

 rise to the supposition that the primitive inhabitants or aborigines of Alaska 

 had some relations or connection with the Japanese. Length of the armor When 

 opened, 3 feet 8 inched. Eskimo of Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, 1892. 153491. 

 Collected by H. R. Thornton. 



Plate armor. A fragment consisting of 9 iron plates, resembling those of the Japa 

 nese suits of armor, fastened together by three thongs. 



This specimen was found in a marsh on Cape Prince of Wales, near the ivory 

 armor (No. 153491) before described. Each plate measures 4f inches in length 

 by li inches in width. 1892. 153492. Collected by H. R. Thornton. 

 Armor. Composed of 32 pieces of cedar and other kinds of wood, fastened together 

 by a fine cord of sinew and other material. 



The breastplate and backpiece of the armor are separate. A section of 8 small 

 pieces protects the throat, and another similiar set of 7 pieces protects the nape 

 of the neck. The armor is fastened on the right side by a wide leather strap, 

 and on the left by a strap and loop. A button placed on the front of the collar 

 probably served -to hang the quiver. Length, 21| inches; width, 20 inches. 

 Sitka, Alaska. 9243. Collected by Dr. A. H. Hoff, U. S. A. 



Wooden armor. Composed of 74 pieces of Avood of equal length and half an inch in 

 diameter. 



These pieces of wood are woven together by strips of leather thongs and cot 

 ton cord, alternating. The strips, both of leather and cotton, pass in front of 

 two of the pieces of wood and behind the next two, and repass at the side in 

 the same way, but continuing to alternate; that is to say, the whole forms a 

 twining from the top to the bottom and from the right to the left, which inter 

 weaving produces a very good external effect. Length of the wooden pieces, 

 23| inches; width of the leather strips. 2 inches, and of the cotton strips, 1 

 inches. Tlinkit Indians (Koluschan stock), Sitka, Alaska, 1881. 49213. Col 

 lected by J. J. McLean. 



Armor. Made of tanned leather, cut into fringes on both sides, and ornamented 

 with blue and red drawings. 



The armor is attached to the body by leather straps. This armor is a good 

 protection but is extremely troublesome to the warrior. Hupa Indians (Atha 

 pascan stock). California, 1886. 126908. Collected by Lieut. P. H. Ray, U. S. A. 



