252 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. 



belts by General J. S. Clark, of Auburn, New York. These were ob- 

 tained for me by the Rev. W. M. Beanchamp, of Baldwinsville, New 

 York, who has aloO very kindly furnished many of the facts embodied 

 in the following descriptions.' 



These belts are made in the usual manner, and present a great variety 

 of shapes, sizes, and designs. Their full history has never been obtained 

 by the whites, and it is not probable that the Indians themselves have 

 preserved a very full account of their origin and significance. They 

 are all ancient, and, judging by their appearance, must date far back in 

 the history of the League. Many of them are quite fragmentary, and 

 fears are entertained that they will gradually fall to pieces and be lost 

 It is to be hoped that measures will be taken to have them j)reserved at 

 least in the form of accurate chromo-lithographs. Mr. Beanchamp, 

 states that they are yearly wasting away, as a little wampum is annu- 

 ally cast into the fire at the bui'ning of the " white dog," and these belta 

 are the source of supply. 



The small belt presented in Fig. 1, Plate XXXIX, is somewhat 

 fragmentary, an unknown number of beads having been lost from the 

 ends. It is seven rows wide and at present two hundred beads long. 

 The design consists of a series of five double diamonds worked in dark 

 wampum upon white. At one end a few rows of an additional figure 

 remain, and at the other a small white cross is worked upon a ground 

 of dark beads. The number of figures may be significant of the num- 

 ber of parties to a treaty. 



Fig. 3 represents a well preserved belt, seven rows in width and 

 about three hundred and twenty in length. The ground is of dark wam- 

 pum, on which are worked five hexagonal figures of white wampum. 

 For a short space at the ends alternate rows are white. As was sug- 

 gested in regard to the preceding belt, the figures in this may represent 

 the parties to a treaty. 



The belt shown in Fig 3 differs from the others in being picto- 

 graphic. It is also quite perfect, although the character of the beads 

 indicates considerable age. It is seven rows in width and three hun- 

 dred and fifty beads in length. The figures are white, on a dark ground, 

 and consist of a cross near one end, connected by a single row of beads 

 with the head of the figure of a man toward the other end. Beneath the 

 feet of the elementary man the figure of a diamond is worked. The 

 cross is probably significant of the mission of the man who comes from 

 a long distance to the lodge or council of the red man. This is proba- 

 bly a French belt. 



The remnant of a very handsome belt is shown in Plate XL. Consider- 

 able wampum has been lost from both ends, but the design appears to 

 be nearly perfect, and consists of a trowel or heart-shaped figure in the 

 center with two rectangular figures on the right and two on the left. 

 These are in white upon a dark ground. Mr. Beanchamp states that it 



' Mr. Beauchamp has published many interesting facts in regard to these belts in 

 the American Antiquarian, Vol. II, No. 3. 



