232 PICTOGRAPHS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS, 



"The Maltese cross is the emblem of a virgin; still so recognized by 

 the Mokis. It is a conventional development of a more common em- 

 blem of maidenhood, the form in wliich the maidens wear their hair 

 arranged as a disk of three or four inches in diameter upon each side 

 of the head. This discoidal arrangement of their hair is typical of the 

 emblem of fructification, worn by the maiden in the Muiugwa festival. 

 Sometimes the hair, instead of being worn in the complete discoid form, 

 is dressed from two curved twigs, and presents the form of two semi- 

 circles upon each side of the head. The partition of these is sometimes 

 horizontal and sometimes vertical. A combination of both of these 

 styles presents the form from which the Maltese cross was convention- 

 alized. The. brim decorations are of ornamental locks of hair which a 

 maiden trains t<> grow upon the sides of the forehead." 



This strongly marked form of Maltese cross, the origin of which is 

 above explained, appears frequently in the pottery, and also in the 

 petroglyphs of the Moki. 



Regarding the apparent subject matter of pictographs an obvious 

 distinction may be made between hunting and land scenes such as 

 would be familiar to interior tribes and those showing fishing and water 

 transportation common to seaboard and lacustrine peoples. Similar 

 and more perspicuous modes of discrimination are available. The gen- 

 eral scope of known history, traditions, and myths may also serve in 

 identification. 



Knowledge of the priscau homes and of the migrations of tribes nec- 

 essary to ascertain their former habitat in connection with the probable 

 age of rock-etchings or paintings is manifestly desirable. 



