HOLMES.] 



VESSELS IMITATING LIFE FORMS. 



405 



Equally noteworthy as plastic representations are the two examples 

 that follow. The vessel shown in Fig-. 417 is modeled in imitation of a 

 sunflsh. The body is much flattened and is neatly polished. The head is 

 well modeled, as are also the fins and tail. Many examples of this form 

 are. found, some of which are elaborately treated, the scales being 

 minutely shown. The body of the fish is sometimes placed in the nat- 



Fig. 417.— Sunlisu v;i 



Ai kansas.- 



ural upright position, the neck of the vessel rising from the back, pro- 

 ducing a lenticular shape. 



The animal so carefully modeled in the vessel given in Fig. 418 re- 

 sembles a raccoon or an opossum. The mouth of the vessel is wide and 

 the, neck upright and short. The body is ornamented with a pattern 



Fig. 418. — Opossum ' 



Arkansas. — i. 



made up of triangular groups of incised lines, which may or may not 

 be meant for hair. 



The love of modeling life forms shows itself again in the little vase 

 illustrated in Fig. 419. The head of some animal, rudely suggested, 

 projects from one side, while a curved tail on the other carries out the 



