66 TREE AND SCAFFOLD BURIAL. 



branches of trees, covered with small branches, leaves, and earth. I have 

 seen several of their graves, which after a few weeks had become uncovered 

 and the remains exposed to view. I saw in one Creek grave (a child's) a 

 small sum of silver, in another (adult male) some implements of warfare, 

 bow and arrows. They are all interred with the feet of the corpse to the 

 east. In the mourning ceremonies of the Creeks the nearer relatives 

 smeared their hair and faces with a composition made of grease and 

 wood ashes, and would remain in that condition for several days, and 

 probably a month." 



TREE AND SCAFFOLD BURIAL. 



We may now pass to what may be called aerial sepulture proper, the 

 most common examples of which are tree and scaffold burial, quite exten- 

 sively practiced even at the present time. From what can be learned, the 

 choice of this mode depends greatly on the facilities present ; where timber 

 abounds, trees being used ; if absent, scaffolds being employed, the con- 

 struction of which among the Yanktonais is related as follows :* 



"These scaffolds are 7 to 8 feet high, 10 feet long, and 4 or 5 wide. 

 Four stout posts, with forked ends, are first set firmly in the ground, and 

 then in the forks are laid cross and side poles, on which is made a flooring 

 of small poles. The body is then carefully wrapped, so as to make it water- 

 tight, and laid to rest on the poles. The reason why Indians bury in the 

 open air instead of under the ground is for the purpose of protecting their 

 dead from wild animals. In new countries, where wolves and bears are nu- 

 merous, a dead body will be dug up and devoured, though it be put many feet 

 under the ground. I noticed many little buckets and baskets hanging on 

 the scaffolds. * * * These had contained food and drink for the dead. 

 I asked Washtella if she was sure the soul ate and drank on its journey, 

 and if the food did not remain untouched in its basket. She replied, ' Oh, 

 no, the food and water is always gone.' I looked at the hundreds of ravens 

 perched on the scaffolds and could account for what became of most of 

 the food and water." * * * 



* Life of Belden, the White Chief, 1871, p. 87. 



