32 CAVE RELICS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. 



ment, (as opposed to savage utilitarianism,) which is characteristic of the human 



mind in all ages. 



Since the above was written the National Museum has received from the 

 Alaska Commercial Company a mummy, and a large number of masks collected 

 by their agents at some locality on Chugach or Prince William Sound, Alaska 

 Territory. 



The mummy was stripped of its coverings, if it had ever had any ; and was 

 that of an adult male. It had been eviscerated through the pelvis and bore 

 marks of the incisions (made by most of the Innuit) for labrets. These were 

 below the corners of the mouth, one on each side. The hair was long and black 

 with no indications of the tonsure. A string around the neck with a few old- 

 fashioned Russian beads upon it, fixed the date as subsequent to the advent of 

 traders. There were no other articles of use or ornament with the remains, 

 which were well preserved. 



The masks were flat, rude and heavy, of a different type from those of Kadiak 

 and the Alexitian region, showing much less facility in carving, and less taste and 

 artistic skill. They had been ornamented with rude figures or patterns in red 

 iron-stone pigment, which, however, at some recent period had been retouched 

 with A^ermillion paint. No information came with the specimens ; and it is 

 possible that the finder, thinking to enhance the value of his prize, employed 

 some native to restore the faded ornamentation. They were worn by help of a 

 cross-bar held in the teeth and a wooden lattice at the back of the head. A few 

 stumps of feathers around the edges indicate that they were originally bordered 

 with a row of plumes. 



A special article on the masks of this region of America is in preparation. 



The specimens just mentioned are interesting, as showing an eastward exten 

 sion, greater than before supposed, of customs which are only well known in 

 connection with the natives of the Aleutian region ; and, as adding one more 

 link to the chain which binds in close relationship the Aleut and adjacent 

 continental Eskimo. 



