28 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



one and three quarters inches long, and was found at Baldwinsville. 

 One a little broader, but only one and three eighths inches long, was 

 found at the same time and place. Some smaller and thicker forms 

 are less deeply notched. They are among our most beautiful arrows. 

 It may be remarked that some eccentric forms were probably per- 

 sonal, or at least tribal, used to show ownership or nationality. It 

 has been pointed out that two arrow points already figured, were 

 made by the same man, so rare is the form, and so close the corres- 

 pondence. If stolen or lost for a time he would have no difficulty in 

 identifying his property. This extended into a national feeling. As 

 we have seen, in recent times the Iroquois used the triangular arrow 

 almost exclusively. If other forms were then as characteristic of 

 other nations, the form of the arrow used would indicate the actors 

 in any sudden raid, and these often had a pride in making themselves 

 known. There are several instances in early history, where toma- 

 hawks or war clubs were used for this purpose. Thus, a Canadian 

 indian, on a scout on Lake George in 1690, saw the English and 

 Iroquois making canoes. Failing to make a prisoner he ' suspended 

 three tomahawks within sight of their cabins, indicating to them that 

 they were discovered, and that he defied them to come to Montreal. 

 These tomahawks are a species of club on which they carve figures, 

 and in that way manifest their wishes.' In speaking of some depreda- 

 tions committed in 1695, near Montreal, the French said, ' These 

 blows were struck by some Mohawks and Oneidas, as we discovered 

 by their tomahawks, which they left sticking in the ground, according 

 to their custom.' It will be readily seen that a warrior who wished to 

 be renowned might adopt a distinct form of arrow as his own, and be 

 allowed a certain informal copyright. His arrow would prove his 

 deed, whether in hunting or war. This, of course, could not be 

 carried out to any great extent, and yet will account for some excep- 

 tional forms. Personal taste may well be allowed a place, but in a 

 few instances a higher purpose may have been connected with it, and 

 there is no doubt at all that little peculiarities clearly distinguished 

 the implements and arms of various nations. Among the remaining 

 Iroquois the snow snakes of the Onondagas and Senecas might 

 seem precisely alike to the casual observer, and yet they have perma- 



