Chap. I.] IROQUOIS DWELLINGS. 17 



encompassed by palisades, in single, double, or triple 

 rows, pierced with loopholes, furnished with plat- 

 forms within, for the convenience of the defenders, 

 with magazines of stones to hurl upon the heads of 

 the enemy, and with water conductors to extinguish 

 any fire which might be kindled from without.^ 



The area which these defences enclosed was often 

 several acres in extent, and the dwellings, ranged in 

 order within, were sometimes more than a hundred 

 feet in length. Posts, firmly driven into the ground, 

 with an intervening framework of poles, formed the 

 basis of the structure; and its sides and arched 

 roof were closely covered with layers of elm bark. 

 Each of the larger dwellings contained several dis- 

 tinct families, whose separate fires were built along 

 the central space, while compartments on each side, 

 like the stalls of a stable, afi'orded some degree of 

 privacy. Here, rude couches were prepared, and 

 bear and deer skins spread ; while above, the 

 ripened ears of maize, suspended in rows, formed 

 a golden tapestry.^ 



1 Lafitau, Mceurs des Sauvages Ameriquains, 11. 4-10. 



Frontenac, in his expedition against the Ouondagas, in 1696 (see Offi- 

 cial Journal, Doc. Hist. New York, I. 332), found one of their villages built 

 in an oblong form, with four bastions. The wall was formed of three 

 rows of pahsades, those of the outer row being forty or fifty feet liigh. 

 The usual figure of the Iroquois villages was circular or oval, and in this 

 instance the bastions were no doubt the suggestion of some European 

 adviser. 



2 Bartram gives the following account of the great council-house at 

 Onondaga, which he visited in 1743 : — 



" We alighted at the council-house, where the chiefs were already 

 assembled to receive us, which they did with a grave, cheerful complai- 

 sance, according to their custom ; they shew'd us where to lay our bag- 

 gage, and repose ourselves during our stay with them ; which was in the 

 two end apartments of this large house. The Indians that came with us 



2 



