HOLMES] USE OF WATTLED STRUCTURES. 15 



is from Harlot's plate xiii. It represeuts a very elaborate trap; uiucli 

 simpler forms are shown hi other plates. Slender poles set in the shallow 

 water are held in place by wattlius or interlacing' of pliable parts. 



It is probable that traps of similar character were used by the mound- 

 building tribes wherever the conditious were favorable. The only 

 apparent traces of such weirs yet found in any part of the country are 

 a number of stumps of stakes discovered by H. T. Cresson in Delaware 

 river near Wilmington, but these appear to be much heavier than 

 would have been used for the purpose by the natives. 



Another somewhat usual use of wattling is mentioned by various 

 authors. Butel-Dumont speaks of a raft made of poles and canes, and 

 Du Pratz, writing of the Louisiana Indians, says : 



The conveniencies for pasaiu;^ rivers would soon be suggested to tlieni by tbe 

 floating of wood upou the water. Accordingly one of their methods of crossing 

 rivers is upon floats of canes, which are called by them Cajeu, and are formed in this 

 manner. They cut a great number of canes, which they tie up into faggots, part of 

 which they fasten together sideways, and over these they lay a few ciossways, 

 binding all close together, and then launching it into the water.' 



We learn from various authors that cage-like cofifiDS were constructed 

 of canes and reeds something after the wattle style ; and hampers, cages 

 for animals, che.sts for treasures or regalia, biers, carrying chairs, fish 

 baskets, beds and seats were often similarly made. These articles, 

 being generally light and portable, and constructed of delicate parts, 

 can as well be classed with basketry as with wattle work. 



BASKETRY. 



Types of Basketry. 



Perhaps no branch of the textile art was of greater importance to 

 the aborigines than basketry. This term may be made to cover all 

 woven articles of a portable kind which have sutficieut rigidity to retain 

 definite or stable form without distention by contents or by other extra- 

 ueovts form of support. It will readily be seen that in shape, texture, 

 use, size, etc., a very wide range of products is here to be considered. 

 Basketry includes a number of groups of utensils distinguished from 

 one another by the use to which they are devoted. There are baskets 

 proper, hampers, cradles, shields, quivers, sieves, etc. There is fre- 

 quent historical mention of the use of basketry, but the descriptions of 

 form and construction are meager. An excellent idea of the ancient 

 art can be gained from the art of the present time, and there is every 

 reason to believe that close correspondence exists throughout. 



Baskets. 



Lawson refers to basket-making and other textile arts of the (Jaro- 

 liua Indians in the following language: 



The Indian women's work is to cook the victuals for the whole family, and to make 

 mats, baskets, girdles, of possum hair, and such like. - » * 



'Hist. Louisiana, Le Page Du Pratz. English translation. London, 1763, vol. n, pp. 2"_'8-229. 



