76 BONE HOUSES. 



This statement is given because of a corroborative note in the writer's 

 possession, but he is not prepared to admit it as correct without further 

 investigation. 



PARTIAL SCAFFOLD BURIAL AND OSSUARIES. 



Under this heading may be placed the burials which consisted, in first 

 depositing the bodies on scaffolds, where they were allowed to remain for a 

 variable length of time, after which the bones were cleaned and deposited 

 either in the earth or in special structures called by writers " bone-houses." 

 Roman* relates the following concerning the Choctaws : 



" The following treatment of the dead is very strange. * * * As 

 soon as the deceased is departed, a stage is erected (as in the annexed plate is 

 represented) and the corpse is laid on it and covered with a bear skin ; if he be 

 a man of note, it is decorated, and the poles painted red with vermillion and 

 bear's oil ; if a child, it is put upon stakes set across ; at this stage the rela- 

 tions come and weep", asking many questions of the corpse, such as, why 

 he left them ? did not his wife serve him well ? was he not contented with 

 his children ? had he not corn enough 1 did not his land produce sufficient 

 of everything ? was he afraid of his enemies 1 &c. and this accompanied by 

 loud bowlings ; the women will be there constantly, and sometimes with 

 the corrupted air and heat of the sun faint so as to oblige the bystanders 

 to carry them home ; the men will also come and mourn in the same man- 

 ner, but in the night or at other unseasonable times, when they are least 

 likely to be discovered. 



" The stage is fenced round with poles ; it remains thus a certain time 

 but not a fixed space ; this is sometimes extended to three or four months, 

 but seldom more than half that time. A certain set of venerable old Gen- 

 tlemen who wear very long nails as a distinguishing badge on the thumb, 

 fore and middle finger of each hand, constantly travel through the nation 

 (when i was there, i was told there were but five of this respectable order) that 

 one of them may acquaint those concerned, of the expiration of this period, 

 which is according to their own fancy ; the day being come, the friends 

 and relations assemble near the stage, a fire is made, and the respectable 



* Hist, of Florida, 1775, p. 88. 



