THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 



carved house posts and totem poles. In some instances the 

 carvings represent the coat of arms or the family tree, or 

 illustrate a story or legend connected with the family. 



The collections in this hall run from south to north; those 

 on the east, or right-hand side, are from the Indians of the 

 Interior; those on the west, or left-hand side, are from the 

 Coast and Island Indians. The visitor is advised to begin at 

 the lower right-hand side. Begin then with the 



Thompson River Indians. This collection includes a 

 valuable series of baskets, noteworthy for its uniqueness of 

 design and complexity of weaving. These peoples gener- 

 ally wore clothing of buckskin. The visitor will be interested 

 in a group which illustrates members of the tribe engaged 

 in tanning skins. Hunting and ceremonial objects also will 

 prove of interest. 



At the end of the next alcove will be found a collection 

 from the Coast Salish, comprising articles of dress, bas- 

 ketry and ceremonial objects. The most conspicuous 

 object, however, is a large blanket woven of goat's wool 

 together with a primitive loom and other implements used 

 in weaving. Proceed to the 



Bella Coola group and examine the numerous ceremonial 

 masks representing the deities of these peoples and the 

 articles woven of spruce bark, used in their ceremonials, 

 hunting and fishing implements and a series of dried fish 

 used for food. Entering the section devoted to the 



Tsimshian, there is displayed a series of masks and rat- 

 tles used in various ceremonials by the medicine men, or 



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