NORTH-AMERICAN CARVINGS. 41 



dependent on the Rocky Mountains and the mountainous line of the North-west 

 Coast (not the animal known as the Rocky- Mountain Sheep, which is the Big-horn 

 or Ashaka, common in the Rocky Mountains and their immediate spurs, hut not 

 found in the vicinity of the coast). Some of these carvings have a useful purpose 

 i. e. the larger ones as cups or ladles, the smaller as spoons. Others, carved 

 throughout their original form, and sometimes inlaid with the nacre of the pearl- 

 shell, have in many cases a superstitious interest connected with them, and may 

 indeed be regarded sometimes as the Penates or Teraphim of a family. I say 

 sometimes ; for though the goat-horn is perhaps preferred as a convenient material 

 by many, others select a different substance, such as the hard wood of the crab- 

 tree, the teeth of the Walrus 6 , or the soft pipe-stone common along the coast, as 

 the material whereon to exercise their ingenuity ; and thus the carving, and the 

 associations connected with it, convey the superstitious reverence irrespectively of 

 the material. But there is very little resemblance between these works of art 

 and the Aquitanian carvings. Usually they are very grotesque, with traits of 

 similarity pervading the Whole of them. In some the family mark is conveyed 

 (corresponding to the "totem" of the Ojibways of Canada, of which you will doubt- 

 less find a description in Mr. Schoolcraft's work). This, for instance, is in one 

 particular case that occurs to my memory a pair of " Fishers " (the large variety 

 of the Marten or Sable), or rather a grotesque imitation of those animals, rivalling 

 our own heraldic caricatures. In some cases pairs of Fishes, as you mention (see 

 also page 13, note], may be employed. But in any case, where no useful purpose 

 is obviously assignable to such carved relics as above described, I should be dis- 

 posed to consider them to be superstitious emblems, analogous to the " teraphim " 

 of old, or family insignia*. A friend of mine who possesses one of these horns 

 has promised to send it to me in order that I might send you a sketch of it. If 

 it reaches me in time I will do so, though I do not think it will tend to elucidate 

 materially any special point. Meanwhile, however, I will sketch from fragments, 

 assisted by memory, some articles in horn and other material, in present or past 

 use among the natives, which, by affording a point of comparison, may possibly 

 tend to assist your inquiry. 



* And, of course, as family insignia, expressive of distinction, as you suggest, when borne by the chief or 

 head of the family. At public feasts, on the North-west Coast, hereditary carvings badges of authority 

 blended with some superstitious prestige are commonly borne by the chiefs in their dances of ceremony. 



