holmes] FINISH AND ORNAMENTATION OF POTTERY. 373 



even, and are always quite porous, a feature of no little importance in 

 the storage of drinking-water, but one resulting from accident rather 

 tbau from design. 



Color. — The paste of this ware presents two marked varieties of 

 color, a dark and a light hue. In a majority of cases it is dark, ranging 

 from a rich black to all shades of brown and gray. The lighter tints 

 are usually warm ochrey grays, rarely approaching reddish or terra 

 cotta hues. It is highly probable that the differences of color were, to 

 some extent, intentionally produced, and that the material or methods 

 of firing were regulated in a way to produce one tint or another at pleas- 

 ure. This theory is confirmed by the fact that certain forms of vases 

 are pretty generally dark, while certain other forms are as uniformly 

 light — the latter in nearly all cases being used for the application of 

 color, or of designs in color. 



Form. — This ware exhibits a great variety of forms, many of which 

 are extremely pleasing. In this respect it is far superior to the other 

 prehistoric groups of the eastern United States. The shapes are as 

 varied and elegant as those of the ancient Pueblo pottery, but are infe- 

 rior to those of Mexico, Central America, aud Peru. They take a higher 

 rank than the prehistoric wares of central and northern Europe, but as 

 a matter of course lack the symmetry and refinement of outline that 

 characterize the wheel-made wares of Mediterranean countries. 



As I classify by form farther on, and discuss the origin of form as 

 each form-group is presented, I shall not make further reference to this 

 topic here. 



Finish. — The finish, as compared with the work of civilized nations, 

 is rude. The surface is often simply hand or trowel smoothed. Gen- 

 erally, however, it was more or less carefully polished by rubbing with 

 an implement of stoue, shell, bone, or other suitable substance, the 

 markings of these tools being distinctly visible. Nothing resembling 

 a glaze has been found on pieces known to be ancient. The surface 

 was sometimes washed or coated with a slip or film of fine clay which 

 facilitated the polishing, aud in very many cases a coat of thick red 

 ocher was applied. 



Ornament. — The ancient potter of the middle province has taken 

 especial delight in the embellishment of his wares, and the devices used 

 are varied and interesting. They include, first, fanciful modifications 

 of form ; second, relief ornament ; third, intaglio figures; and, fourth, 

 designs in color. 



Modification of shape. — It can hardly be claimed that the ancient peo 

 pies of this region had a very refined appreciation of elegance of out- 

 line, yet the simple, essential forms of cups and pots were by no means 

 satisfactory to them. There are many modifications of shape that indi- 

 cate a taste for higher types of beauty, and a constant attempt to realize 

 them. The aesthetic sentiment was considerably developed. 



