HOLMES] FABRIC-IMPRESSED POTTERY. 41 



The impressiou is quite perfect. The cords are somewhat uneven, and 

 seem to have been only moderately well twisted. They were probably 

 made of hem]) fiber. It will be observed that the threads of the web 

 are placed at regular intervals, while those of the woof are irregularly 

 placed. It may be noticed that in one case the woof has not been 

 doubled, the single thread having, as a consequence, exactly the same 

 relation to the opposing series as corresponding threads in simple inter- 



Fia. 18. — Twineil fabric I'roiii ancient aalt veasei, IHinois. 



lacing. The impression, of which this is only a part, indicates that 

 the cloth used in shaping the vessel was considerably distorted when 

 applied to the soft clay. 



Nowhere else are found so many fine imjjressions of fabrics on clay 

 vessels as in the ancient salt-making localities of the Mississippi valley. 

 The huge bowls or vats used by the primitive salt-maker have gener- 

 ally been modeled in coarse, open fabrics, or have had cloths impressed 



Fig. 19. — Twinofl fabric from ancient aalt vessel 



iipon them for ornament. In figures IS and 19 fine examples of these 

 impressions are given. The latter engraving illustrates a specimen in 

 which every detail is perfectly i)ieserved. Only a small portion of the 

 original is shown in the cut. It is noticeable that the cords are quite 

 heavy and well twisted, although the spacing is somewhat irregular. 



