134 MORTUARY CUSTOMS OF NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 
The innermost tegument is a mantle of cloth, like the preceding, but furnished with 
large brown feathers, arranged and fashioned with great art, so as to be capable of 
guarding the living wearer from wet and cold. The plumage is distinct and entire, 
and the whole bears a near similitude to the feathery cloaks now worn by the nations 
of the northwestern coast of America. A Wilson might tell from what bird they 
were derived. 
The body is in a squatting posture, with the right arm reclining forward, and its 
hand encircling the right leg. The left arm hangs down, with its hand inclined partly 
under the seat. The individual, who was a male, did not probably exceed the age of 
fourteen at his death. Thereis near the occiput a deep and extensive fracture of the 
skull, which probably killed him. The skin has sustained little injury; it is of a 
dusky colour, but the natural hue cannot be decided with exactness, from its present 
appearance. The scalp, with small exceptions, is covered with sorrel or foxey hair. 
The teeth are white and sound. The hands and feet, in their shrivelled state, are 
slender and delicate. All this is worthy the investigation of our acute and perspica- 
cious colleague, Dr. Holmes. 
There is nothing bituminous or aromatic in or about the body, like the Egyptian 
mummies, nor are there bandages around any part. Except the several wrappers, the 
body is totally naked. There is no sign of a suture or incision about the belly ; whence 
it seems that the viscera were not removed. 
It may now be expected that I should offer some opinion as to the antiquity and 
race of this singular exsiccation. 
First, then, I am satisfied that it does not belong to that class of white men of 
which we are members. 
2Qdly. Nor do I believe that it ought to be referred to the bands of Spanish adven- 
turers, who, between the years 1500 and 1600, rambled up the Mississippi, and along 
its tributary streams. But on this head I should like to know the opinion of my 
learned and sagacious friend, Noah Webster. 
3dly. I am equally obliged to reject the opinion that it belonged to any of the tribes 
of aborigines, now or lately inhabiting Kentucky. 
4thly. The mantle of the feathered work, and the mantle of twisted threads, so nearly 
resemble the fabricks of the indigines of Wakash and the Pacifick Islands, that I refer this 
individual to that era of time, and that generation of men, which preceded the Indians of 
the Green River, and of the place where these relicks were found. This conclusion is 
strengthened by the consideration that such manufactures are not prepared by the actual 
and resident red men of the present day. If the Abbe Clavigero had had this case before 
him, he would have thought of the people who constructed those ancient forts and 
mounds, whose exact history no man living can give. But I forbear to enlarge; my 
intention being merely to manifest my respect to the society for having enrolled me 
among its members, and to invite the attention of its Antiquarians to further inquiry 
on a subject of such curiosity. 
With respect, I remain yours, 
SAMUEL L. MITCHILL. 
It would appear, from recent researches on the Northwest coast, that 
the natives of that region embalmed their dead with much care, as may 
be seen from the work recently published by W. H. Dall,* the de- 
scription of the mummies being as follows : 
We found the dead disposed of in various ways; first, by interment in their com- 
partments of the communal dwelling, as already described; second, by being laid on 
a rude platform of drift-wood or stones in some convenient rock shelter. These lay 
on straw and moss, covered by matting, and rarely have either implements, weapons, 
or carvings associated with them. We found only three or four specimens in all in 
*Cont. to N. A. Ethnol., 1877, vol. i, p. 89. 
