168 MORTUARY CUSTOMS OF NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 
tially arboreal in their habits, it is quite in keeping to suppose that the soul-bird would 
have readier access to its former home or dwelling-place if it was placed upon a tree 
or scaffold than if it was buried in the earth; moreover, from this lofty eyrie the souls 
of the dead could rest secure from the attacks of wolves or other profane beasts, and 
guard like sentinels the homes and hunting-grounds of their loved ones. 
This statement is given because of a corroborative note in the writer’s 
possession, but heis not prepared to admit it as correct without further 
investigation. 
PARTIAL SCAFFOLD BURIAL AND OSSUARIES. 
Under this heading may be placed the burials which consisted in first 
depositing the bodies on scaffolds, where they were allowed to remain 
for a variable length of time, after which the bones were cleaned and 
deposited either in the earth or in special structures, called by writers 
“pbone-houses.” Roman* relates the following concerning the Choc- 
taws: 
The following treatment of the dead is very strange. * * * Assoon as the de- 
ceased is departed, a stage is erected (as in the annexed plate is represented) and the 
corpse is laid on it and covered with a bear-skin; if he be a man of note, it is deco- 
rated, and the poles painted red with vermillion and bear’s oil; if a child, it is put 
upon stakes set across; at this stage the relations come and weep, asking many ques- 
tions of the corpse, such as, why he left them? did not his wife serve him well? was 
he not contented with his children ? had he not corn enough ? did not his land produce 
sufficient of everything? was he afraid of his enemies? &c., and this accompanied by 
loud howlings; the women will be there constantly, and sometimes, with the cor- 
rupted air and heat of the sun, faint so as to oblige the bystanders to carry them home ; 
the men will also come and mourn in the same manner, but in the night or at other 
unseasonable times when they are least likely to be discovered. 
The stage is fenced round with poles; it remains thus a certain time, but nota fixed 
space ; this is sometimes extended to three or four months, but seldom more than half 
that time. A certain set of venerable old Gentlemen, who wear very long nails as a 
distinguishing badge on the thumb, fore, and middle finger of each hand, constantly 
travel through the nation (when i was there i was told there were but five of this 
respectable order) that one of them may acquaint those concerned, of the expiration 
of this period, which is according to their own fancy; the day being come, the friends 
and relations assemble near the stage, a fire is made, and the respectable operator, 
after the body is taken down, with his nails tears the remaining flesh off the bones, 
and throws it with the entrails into the fire, where it is consumed; then he scrapes 
the bones and burns the scrapings likewise ; the head being painted red with vermil- 
lion is with the rest of the bones put into a neatly made chest (which for a Chief is also 
made red) and deposited in the loft of a hut built for that purpose, and called bone 
house; each town has one of these; after remaining here one year or thereabouts, if 
he be a man of any note, they take the chest down, and in an assembly of relations 
and friends they weep once more over him, refresh the colour of the head, paint the 
box, and then deposit him to lasting oblivion. e 
An enemy and one who commits suicide is buried under the earth as one to be di- 
rectly forgotten and unworthy the above ceremonial obsequies and mourning. 
Hist. of Florida, 1775, p. 88. 
