166 ANIMAL CARVINGS. 



the same tribes execute carviugs of animals, as seals, sea-lions, whales, 

 bears, &c., which, though generally wanting in the careful modeling 

 necessary to constitute fine sculpture, and for absolute specific resem- 

 blauce, are generally recognizable likenesses. Now and then indeed is 

 to be found a carving which is noteworthy for spirited execution and 

 faithful modeling. The best of them are far superior to the best exe- 

 cuted carvings from the mounds, and are much worthier objects for com- 

 parison with modern artistic work. 



As deducible from the above premisQ.s it may be observed that, while 

 the state of art among primitive peoples as exemplified by their artistic 

 productions may be a useful index in determining their relative j)osi- 

 tion in the scale of progress, unless used with caution and in connec- 

 tion with other and more reliable standards of measurement it will 

 lead to very erroneous conclusions. If, for instance, skill and inge- 

 nuity in the art of carving and etching be accepted as affording a 

 proper idea of a people's progress in general culture, the Esquimaux 

 of Alaska should be placed in the front rank of American tribes, a 

 position needless to say which cannot be accorded them from more gen- 

 eral considerations. On the other hand, while the evidences of artistic 

 skill left by the Iroquoian tribes are in no way comparable to the work 

 produced by the Esquimaux, yet the former have usually been assigned 

 a very advanced position as compared with other American tribes. 



GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 



The more important conclusions reached in the foregoing paper may 

 be briefly summed up as follows : 



That of the carvings from the mounds which can be identified there 

 are no representations of birds or animals not indigenous to the Missis- 

 sippi Valley. 



And consequently that the theories of origin for the Mound Builders 

 suggested by the i>resence iu the mounds of cai'vings of supposed for- 

 eign animals are without basis. 



Second. That a large majority of the carviugs, instead of being, as 

 assumed, exact likenesses from nature, possess in reality only the most 

 general resemblance to the birds and animals of the region which they 

 were doubtless intended to represent. 



Third. That there is no reason for believing that the masks and sculpt- 

 ures of human faces are more correct likenesses than are the animal 

 carvings. 



Fourth. That the state of art-culture reached by the Mound Builders, 

 as illustrated by their carvings, has been greatly overestimated. 



