FEWKEsl CULTUEE AREAS Ilf THE WEST INDIES 71 



In sharp contrast with the thick-walled, coarse bowl last men- 

 tioned is a fragment of a vessel (pi. 3, E) which may be legarded as 

 one of the finest and most elaborately decorated specimens found at 

 Erin Bay. This beautiful example represents the highest type of 

 incised decoration of which the Antillean potter was capable. It 

 shows the base and practically a quadrant of the lateral decoration 

 of the bowl, which was probably repeated on the missing sides. 



In plate 3, F, the form of the head reminds one of a peccary or 

 wild hog. The mode of attachment to the rim of the vessel is quite 

 apparent in this instance. 



In addition to the specimens of entire pottery above described, 

 many fragments, some of which represent cliaracteristic forms, were 

 excavated from the Erin shell-heap. The best of these are sections 

 of rims and handles, which, being less fi'agile, are more readily 

 preserved. Their chief features will now be considered. 



HANDLES OF VESSELS 



Considerable variation occurs in the form of the handles of 

 earthenware A'essels. several of which are still associated with 

 portions of the side or rim, while others show how the handle was 

 attached at both extremities. Some of the handles are mere knobs 

 or bosses; other examples are in the form of elaborate heads (pi. 

 3, F) . the various modifications of which recall the pottery heads of 

 Porto Eico and Santo Domingo. 



The handles of bowls shown in the accompanying illustrations 

 (pis. ■^8) are broken from their attachments. Sometimes they 

 are very simple in form, but more commonly they represent heads 

 which vary more or less in shape. The specimen (pi. 4, .4) which 

 has a fragment of the bowl attached is one of the simplest forms, 

 loop-shaped with a conical projection near the rim. The handle 

 is broad, with ample space for the fingers. In some specimens 

 the handles are even simpler, as they are without the conical eleva- 

 tion, while the upper end, instead of being attached to the rim, 

 rises from the side of the bowl. In other examples the handle 

 takes the form of a lug or knob. 



In plate 4, B, instead of a conical knob, the handle bears a simple 

 head in which the eyes, nose, and mouth are crudely indicated, as in 

 other West Indian vessels. 



Plate 4, C\ shows a specimen in which the head surmounting 

 the handle is modeled in greater detail, and a sufficient part of the 

 body of the bowl remains to show the incised ornamentation of 

 the exterior surface, as well as of the handle. Incised lines unite 

 at the throat and continue down the middle of the handle throughout 

 its length. 



