holmes] METHODS OP COILING. 275 



being carefully joined, so that tbe continuity might not be broken until 

 the vessel was completed. The rim generally consisted of a broad strip, 

 thickened a little at the lip, and somewhat recurved. The exterior im- 

 bricate edges were carefully preserved, while those on the inner surface 

 were totally obliterated, first by pressure, and finally by smoothing 

 down with an implement, or with the fingers, imprints of the latter being 

 frequently visible. So thoroughly were the fillets pressed down and 

 welded together that the vessels seldom fracture more readily along 

 the lines of junction than in other directions. 



The fact that the spiral ridges of the bottom are frequently without 

 abrasion, as shown in Fig. 217, suggests an idea in regard to the manip- 

 ulation of the coil. While building the upper part of the vase the base 

 would necessarily rest upon some sort of support and the soft ridges 

 would suffer from abrasion. In preventing such defacement, an interior 

 support, such as a mold or the base of another vessel, must have been 

 used, in which case the vessel was necessarily built in an inverted posi- 

 tion. At the same time it is clear that this would be practicable only 

 with bowls or with very wide- mouthed vessels, as the mold, if rigid, 

 could not be removed through a restricted aperture. 



In pressing the coil down, in welding it to the preceding turn, internal 

 support would be necessary, as otherwise the strain would warp the 

 walls. A curved trowel or a rounded pebble could be used as long as the 

 aperture would admit the hand, but no support excepting the fingers, 

 or an implement shaped for the purpose, could be used beyond this 

 stage. The whole process was a most delicate one, requiring patience 

 and skill. In this respect it contrasted strongly with the coiling of other 

 peoples. As indicated by numerous specimens, the coil was sometimes 

 laid on the inside of a shallow basket or bowl, the surface of the vessel 

 showing a combination of basket-markings and nearly obliterated spiral 

 creases. This device served a good purpose in starting the vessel, the 

 upper part being completed by free-hand coiling. 



Coiling of other peoples. — The art, as practiced by the Indians of 

 Louisiana, is graphically described by Duinont. The following para- 

 graph is translated from his work : 



" Moreover, the industry of these (savage) girls and women is admi- 

 rable. I have already alluded to tbe skill with which, with their fingers 

 only, and without a wheel, they make large pieces of pottery. The fol- 

 lowing is their method of work : After having collected a quantity of 

 the proper kind of earth, and having cleaned it thoroughly, they take 

 shells which they break up and reduce to a very fine, loose powder ; 

 they mix this tine dust with the earth which they have collected, and, 

 moistening the whole with a little water, work it with their hands and 

 feet into a paste, from which they make rolls six or seven feet long and 

 as thick as they may desire. If they wish to make a dish or a vase, 

 tbey take one of these rolls by the end, and marking on this lump with 

 the thumb of the left hand the center of the vessel, they turn the roll 



