114 ABORIGINAL POTTERY OF EASTERN UNITED STATES [eth.ann.20 



each variety of ci'eature passed down to the purely eonventioual 

 foi'ms through its own peculiar and distinctive series of variants. 

 The conclusion reached is that there is at least a large degree of con- 

 sistency, and that particular forms of creatures may be recognized 

 far down the scale toward the geometric. Exceptions were noted, 

 however. The symbols are occasionally intermingled, as if the sig- 

 nificance of the particular forms had been lost sight of, the potter 

 using them as symbols of the life idea in general , or as mere decorations. 



As a rule, the incised designs are more highly conventional than the 

 plastic, the eagle and the serpent being the only incised forms, so far as 

 has been observed, realistically treated; but it was possible to recognize 

 others through their association with the modeled forms. In vessels 

 furnished with the head of a bird in relief, for example, the same kind 

 of incised figures were generally found around the vessel, and these are 

 recognized as being more or less fully conventionalized representations 

 of wings. The same is true of the fish and its gills, lins, and tail; of the 

 serpent and its spots and rattles, and of the frog and its legs. The 

 relieved tigures, realistically treated, become thus a key to the formal 

 incised designs, enabling us to identify them when separately used. 

 It will be seen, however, that since all forms shade off into the purely 

 geometric, there comes a stage when all must be practicall}' alike; and 

 in independent positions, since we have no key, we fail to distinguish 

 them, and can only say that whatever they represented to the potter 

 they can not be to us more than mere suggestions of the life idea. To 

 the native potter the life concept was probably an essential association 

 with every vessel. 



In plate lxxx is arranged a series of figures illustrating progressive 

 variations in the bird concept, and in plate lxx xi the frog concept is sim- 

 ilarly represented. The series are too limited to lie entirely satisfactory, 

 as it is only when a great number of these designs are before us that we 

 see clearly the meaning of the transformations. Plates lxxxii and 

 Lxxxiii show some purely conventional designs, and many more or less 

 fully conventionalized life forms coj^ied from vessels of this group. 



POTTERY OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA" 



Exploration on the peninsula of Florida has made such decided 

 heatlway in recent years that archa?ologists may now reasonulily hope 

 to secure a firm grasp on the problems of Floridian pi'ehistoric art. 

 The general nature and range of the art remains are already fairly 

 well understood, but little study has been given those details that must 



n Acknowledgments are due to Mr Clarence B. Moore for a large part of the data embodied in this 

 brief study of Florida pottery. Not only have his published works been drawn on l.'Ut correspondence 

 and frequent consultations with him have furnished valuable assistance. As an indefatigable worker, 

 an accurate observer, a faithful recorder, and a prompt publisher, Mr Moore stands at the head of the 

 long list of those who have undertaken personally to explore the ancient monuments of the eastern 

 Unitefl States. 



