ROTH] DEFORMATION, DECORATION, ORNAMENTS, CLOTHES 431 
horizontally with the feathers inserted between its double edges, 
projecting in the same plane. The frame really consists of two 
broad, flattened rings joined along their inner circumferences, but 
the technique of these rings varies and requires further investigation. 
A Warrau and Arawak pattern is represented in figure 41 EK, F, 
where it may be identical with the upper projecting rim of the 
vertical type of crown. 
527. How far each tribe made these feather crowns on distinctive 
lines either of shape, construction, material, or color there does not 
appear to be sufficient evidence to show. That uniformity was not 
invariably the rule is seen from the fact that whereas some of the 
Akawai wore feathers in their plaited coronets (BB, 64), there 
were others who, instead of feathers, sported the tail bristles of the 
watchima or anteaters (Da, 225). Back ornaments of the skins of 
toucan, cock-of-the-rock, iridescent beetle’s wings, cotton “ pom- 
pons,” etc., may be attached to the cotton cords hanging from the 
back of the headdress. Tortoise-shell disks with scratchings upon 
them to represent the lower jaw of a certain fish are attached to 
the feather crowns of the Oyana of Surinam (GO, 8). 
528. An unusual type of bona fide cap, on the basis of a network 
into the meshes of which small tufts of feather down and the 
finest feathers of various colors, to constitute the required pattern, 
are inserted, was described and figured (pl. 138 A) from Cayenne 
(PBA, 195). In conclusion, the following account of a “ cap” taken 
from Columbus’s visit to Santo Domingo, at that time populated by 
Arawak folk, may not prove uninteresting: Guacamari then made a 
present of . . . 500 or 600 pieces of precious stones of different 
colors, and a cap ornamented with similar stones, which, I think, the 
Indians must value very highly, because that cap was delivered with 
a great deal of reverence (DAC, 450). These Indians called this 
covering for the head, chuco, and it was worn in battle by the 
caciques, as a helmet. 
529..The Indians of the Uaupes district, upper Rio Negro, were, 
and are still, noted for their many varied and beautiful feather hair 
ornaments, but as these have apparently but little, if any, bearing 
on what is met with in the ethnographical regions under present in- 
vestigation, it is not necessary to make further mention of them. 
Excellent illustrations have already been published (KG, 1, 283, 884, 
325, etc.). 
530. Forehead bands, fillets, and head rings——Arawak males, cer- 
tainly in the Pomeroon area, wore cotton tassels strung across the 
forehead on occasions of festivity, as well as during the period of 
initiation, so it is said, into the guild of medicine men. The Carib 
of the Barima, etc., also sport a cotton head ring (pl. 139 A). In 
