l02 Indian Mounds and Eai^thworks. 



deeds, and indicating rank, and honor, and high resolve. Under 

 the red cross of St. George, the hly of France, and a multitude of 

 other standards, the leaders of the soldiers of Christendom were 

 individually distinguished by their own proper heraldic bearings. 



That spirit which the olden time originated, and which was 

 so strikingly displayed by the chivalry of the middle ages, has, 

 it is true, been modified ; and as regards individuals, has been 

 almost obliterated under the changed aspect of the civilized 

 world. But with regard, perhaps, to all existing nations, these 

 symbols are yet associated with the spirit of patriotism, with na- 

 tional honor, or with deeply cherished remembrances of ancient 

 grandeur. The crescent of the Ottoman empire still shines in 

 the East ; the fleur-de-lis of France, originating at least as early 

 as the fifth century, is still her honored emblem ; the lion of Eng- 

 land, that for " a thousand years has braved the battle and the 

 breeze," yet remains a cherished symbol ; and, although arising 

 in later times, the eagle of America is no less an object of national 

 pride and endearment. 



The foregoing remarks arise out of the obvious similarity of 

 method by which, in all times and in all countries, men, whether 

 barbarous or civilized, have found it convenient to distinguish and 

 arrange themselves. If the untutored Indians have adopted, as 

 the badge of their nation, their race, or their kindred, some sim- 

 ple object in nature, so also have the more refined of the old 

 world constantly pursued the same mode ; and doubtless, one 

 common motive led the people of Scotland to select the thistle, 

 those of Wales the leek, of Ireland the shamrock, and of England 

 the oak, for their national emblems ; with each and all of which 

 many fond recollections are associated. Thus also did the white 

 and red roses of the rival houses of York and Lancaster, desig- 

 nate their leaders and unite their followers ; and the same feeling 

 which gave rise to the local badges of the numerous Scottish 

 clans,* may be traced among the North American tribes, and in 

 like manner, suggested the insignia of numberless orders and as- 

 sociations in the civilized world. If the mail-clad knight of old 

 surmounted his helm with appropriate symbols of courage in the 

 field, of devotion to the true faith, or of constancy to his ladye 

 love, so also does the red warrior assmne the attributes of fierce- 



* The institution of clans among the North American Indians, appears to have 

 been general. Archseol. Am. Vol. II. 



