HOFFMAN] 



BEADWORK 



265 



from 18 to 20 inches in length, to each end of which strands of colored 

 yarn, 2 feet long, are attached, so as to admit of being passed around 

 the leg and tied in a bowknot in front (plates xxv, xxvi, xxvn). 



Bands of flannel or buckskin, handsomely beaded, are sometimes 

 attached to the sides of the pantaloons, 

 in imitation of an officer's stripes, as well 

 as around the bottom. Colors also are 

 used, iu addition to necklaces of claws, 

 shells, or other objects. 



Armlets and bracelets also are some- 

 times worn; these are made of bands of 

 beadwork, though brass wire or other 

 pieces of metal are preferred. Three 



of such necklaces are 



shown in plate xxvin. 

 Bags made of cloth, 



and entirely covered 



with beads or other- 

 wise ornamented, are 



worn at the side, being 



supported by means of 



a broad band or baldric 



passing over the oppo- 



posite shoulder (plate 



xxix). The head is 



decorated with disks 



of metal and tufts of 



dyed horse hair, or 



moose hair, and with 



eagle feathers, to des- 

 ignate the particular 



exploits performed by 



the wearer. 

 Previous to the advent of white traders, 

 or before they were able to procure by 

 purchase or barter beads of European 

 manufacture, the Meuomini claim to have 

 made large beads from shells found in 

 the rivers of Wisconsin and on the shores 

 of Green bay. Quite a variety of large and 

 exceedingly beautiful freshwater shells 

 occur in the rivers of Wisconsin, and it 

 would be strange indeed if the natives did 

 not utdize the iridescent pearl for ornamentation when at the same time 

 they used them as knives. Among some of the old mit&" women large 

 beads, together with the elongated shell beads purchased at traders' 



FlO. 4:i— (l.jiliwa and 

 Menomini children's 

 showshoe. 



Fig. 44— Snowshoe for women— Ojibwa 

 type. 



