XXXrV ANNUAL REPOET OF THE DIEECTOR 



aboriginal mind is not incapable of arriving at success in 

 civilized industries without violent compulsion or intermin- 

 able training, provided that judgment be exercised in the 

 work at first required. 



ART IN SHEIiL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS, BY MR. 

 WILLiIAM H. HOLMES. 



This paper is an example of the proper mode of conducting 

 research into the archaeology of America, especially as it is 

 to be studied from the mounds — one of the main respositories 

 of all that may be learned of precolumbian human life. This 

 mode is the correct classification of accurately observed facts, 

 within such limits as to be practically exhaustive of the field 

 selected, and by an observer especially adapted by talent and 

 training to that selected field. 



The range of art in shell, though having well-defined limits, 

 is more extensive than has hitherto been generally known. 

 The shells of mollusks were doubtless used at a very early 

 period as vessels for food and water, and were commonly 

 known to pristine men who, attracted by the food products of 

 the great waters, resorted to the sea shore or the banks of 

 estuaries for residence or annual migrations. In time it was 

 found that modifications of the natural shell would increase 

 its usefulness, and the breaking away of useless parts and 

 sharpening of edges were readily suggested. As transporta- 

 tion became desirable, changes were made for that object, 

 one obvious device being the artificial repetition of perfo- 

 rations natural to certain shells, through which they were 

 strung on vines or cords of fiber and suspended about the 

 neck — probably originating the use of pendants as mex'e 

 personal ornaments. The farther the objects became trans- 

 ported from the source of supply, in the course of migrations 

 or in barter, the higher became the value attached to them, 

 the greater the varieties in their forms, and the more diverse 

 the uses to which they were applied. As is known to travel- 

 ers among far inland tribes, the shell of the sea has often be- 

 come connected with their superstitions, and are consequently 

 highly prized. 



