164 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 43 : 



smoldered, the eternal fire, which was fed continually by three logs 

 shoved into it endwise from as many different directions. Directly 

 back of this was a low table or platform, the dimensions of which are j 



given by Charlevoix as 5 feet long, 4 broad, and 3 high, and by Du 

 Pratz as 6 feet long, 2 broad, and 4 high. On this Charlevoix saAv 

 nothing, but Du Pratz states that it bore a basket containing the bones ! 



of the last great Sun, 



Up to this point there is considerable agreement among the various 

 writers, but it is evident that the rest of the furniture of the temple 

 was changed from time to time, for the authorities differ considerably 

 regarding it. Charlevoix saw " only three or four chests placed 

 irregularly, in which were some dry bones, and upon the ground some 

 wooden heads, a little better wrought than the two eagles on the roof." 

 Penicaut states that it contained the figure of a rattlesnake, a quantity 

 of little stone figures inclosed in a coffer, and a necklace of very fine 

 pearls, of which two or three were taken out from time to time to 

 place around the necks of the infant Nobles. Gravier, however, whose 

 account is the earliest, also seems to have seen the most. His descrip- i 



tion is not as clear as could be desired, but it may be gathered that he 

 found three large baskets or basket-work receptacles supported on as 

 many jDlatforms, and that one of these was supposed to contain the 

 spirit of the Natchez and of each of the neighboring nations, while the 

 two others inclosed the bones of chiefs wdio had recently died. The 

 bones of those who had died farther back had probably been placed in 

 the ground to make way for these late remains. The presence of two 

 sorts of cane baskets, one for the spirits and another for the bones of 

 departed chiefs, is confirmed analogically by wdiat is said of the i 



Taensa temple: 



In the interior of the temple are some shelves arranged at a certain distance 

 from each other, on which are i)laeed cane basinets of an oval shape, and in 

 these are inclosed the bones of their ancient chiefs, while by their side are those 

 of their victims who had caused themselves to be strangled, to follow their 

 masters into the other world. Another separate shelf supports many fiat 

 basliets, very gorgeously painted, in which they preserve their idols. These are 

 figures of men and w^omen made of stone or baked clay, the heads and the tails of ; 



extraordinary serpents, some stuffed owls, some pieces of crystal, and some 

 jawbones of large fish." In the year 1699 they had there a bottle and the foot 

 of a glass which they guarded as very precious.'' 



Moreover, De Montigny says, speaking of temples in general: ' 



" There is almost nothing in these temples; there are, however, some 

 figurines of men and beasts carved quite rudely and many chests of 

 the bones of the most honored who have died." '' 



« It win be remembered that Gravier himself found a piece of crystal in the Natchez 

 temple. 



''Le Petit in Jos. Rol., lxviii, 121i-12.^). 



"" De Montigny, letter of Aug. 25, 1<;".I!), in Coinptc Kcndii Cong. Uiternat. des Anier., 

 15th sess.. I, 40. ' 



