METALLIC ORNAMENTS OF NEW YORK INDIANS 35 



latter has scalloped edges, and below the base are three small 

 pendants. Some of the Onondagas wear a plain globular eardrop 

 attached to a ring. 



In the Annals of Binghamton occurs the following passage regard- 

 ing the triangular pendants, and what is probably the shield part of 

 earrings, though the description is not clear. It concerned the 

 recent Indian occupation of Windsor N. Y.: 



Deacon Stow, who grew up on these plains, mentioned two kinds 

 of trinkets which he had often found, himself. One of a triangular 

 form, about an inch from angle to angle, made of silver, and flat, 

 of the thickness of a 10 cent piece, with a hole near one angle; sup- 

 posed to have been worn for a pendant at the nose. Another, of 

 silver also, made of a gridiron form, and about the circumference 

 of a half dollar. Supposed to have been worn at the nose. Wilkin- 

 son, p. 143 



Finger rings 



Father Bruyas was accustomed to give his Oneida pupils in 1670, 

 if they could repeat on Sunday what he had taught during the week, 

 " pour recompense une corde de rassade, ou deux petits tuyaux de 

 verre ou deux bagues de leton." These common beads, long bugle 

 beads, and brass rings thus became very common, and upward of 

 30 rings have been taken from a single grave. The glass pipes or 

 bugle beads are still found full 4 inches in length, though usually 

 shorter. The rings in a grave may thus testify to faithful students. 

 On the other hand, the missionary kept partially in view religious 

 instruction. Beads might gratify taste, but might serve a more use- 

 ful purpose if made into a rosary, with a cross or appropriate medal 

 at the end. The rings almost invariably bore sacred symbols, and 

 may have found place elsewhere than on the fingers. No Indian 

 need buy them if he would be studious for a week. 



These early rings are mostly of a rude and cheap character, but 

 many are of good design and finish. Quite rarely one occurs of 

 gold or silver, or even with a setting of small stones. At a later 

 day they were almost entirely of silver, and often of a massive form. 

 Some of these seem to have been made by the native silversmiths. 

 They were found on all reservations, and the art furnished an Indian 

 surname which still survives. 



