12 INHUMATION— MASSASAUGAS. 



small rock or the stump of a tree. After the body has been crammed into 

 the smallest possible space the rock or stump is again rolled into its former 

 position, when a number of stones are placed around the base to keep out 

 the coyotes. The nearest of kin usually mourn for the period of one month, 

 during that time giving utterance at intervals to the most dismal lamenta- 

 tions, which are apparently sincere. During the day this obligation is fre- 

 quently neglected or forgotten, but when the mourner is reminded of his 

 duty he renews his howling with evident interest. This custom of mourn- 

 ing for the period of thirty days corresponds to that formerly observed by 

 the Natchez." 



Somewhat similar to this rude mode of sepulture is that described in 

 the life of Moses Van Campen, which relates to the Indians formerly inhab- 

 iting Pennsylvania : 



" Directly after the Indians proceeded to bury those who had fallen in 

 battle, which they did by rolling an old log from its place and laying the 

 body in the hollow thus made, and then heaping upon it a little earth." 



As a somewhat curious, if not exceptional, interment, the following ac- 

 count, relating to the Indians of New York is furnished, by Mr. Franklin B. 

 Hough, who has extracted it from an unpublished journal of the agents of 

 a French company kept in 1794: 



" Saw Indian graves on the plateau of Independence Rock. The In- 

 dians plant a stake on the right side of the head of the deceased and bury 

 them in a bark canoe. Their children come every year to bring provisions 

 to the place where their fathers are buried. One of the graves had fallen in 

 and we observed in the soil some sticks for stretching skins, the remains of 

 a canoe, &c, and the two straps for carrying it, and near the place where 

 the head lay were the traces of a fire whjch they had kindled for the soul 

 of the deceased to come and warm itself by and to partake of the food 

 deposited near it. 



" These were probably the Massasauga Indians, then inhabiting the 

 north shore of Lake Ontario, but who were rather intruders here, the coun- 

 try being claimed by the Oneidas." 



It is not to be denied that the use of canoes for coffins has occasion- 

 ally been remarked, for the writer in 1875 removed from the graves at Santa 



