Ancient American Utensil. 67 



In the Philadelphia Museum are two jugs or bottles, composed of 

 similar materials, found in Tennessee, at the depth of fifteen or 

 twenty feet below the surface of the ground. Several specimens of 

 the same ware, are also contained in the collection of the Philo- 

 sophical Society, in this city. Some of the latter, and one of those 

 in the Museum, bear a near resemblance in form to an egg, with 

 one end opened and extended a little, to constitute a neck and 

 mouth. The most rude and apparently the most ancient specimens 

 have generally this form; which may possibly have been suggested 

 to the mind of the savage, together with the very idea of earthen 

 ware itself, by the previous use of egg shells for some domestic pur- 

 poses. None of the specimens of pottery above referred to, appear 

 to have received any glazing — a remark which, as far as my obser- 

 vation has extended, is likewise applicable to the Mexican and South 

 American pottery. The latter occasionally exhibit a species of var- 

 nish very durable in its nature, but entirely distinct from a true gla- 

 zing. This observation is in conformity with the opinion of Mr. 

 Abraham Miller of this city, whose practical acquaintance with this 

 branch of art has led him to a careful examination of many speci- 

 mens of the ancient manufacture. 



The dotted lines and figures in the cut indicate the several dimen- 

 sions. That the vessel was not formed by revolving machinery is 

 shown by the difference in the depth of the body on two opposite 

 sides. The contents of the vase are three and a half pints. From 

 its peculiar composition and manufacture, it sends forth when moist- 

 ened a fresh earthy odor, exactly like that which is perceived at the 

 commencement^of a sudden shower, at the close of a hot summer's 

 day. As a drinking vessel, this circumstance may have enhanced 

 its value in the eyes of the Indian, who thus regaled his sense of 

 smell exactly as when he quaffed from the pure native spring. 



I have been thus particular in the above description, from a belief, 

 that when collected, figured and described, objects of this kind may 

 aid in forming an estimate of the state of the arts and civilization 

 among the nations which possessed this continent at periods of very 

 remote antiquity, and may perhaps furnish an index to mark the re- 

 lationship of the American Indians, either with each other, or with 

 distant nations of the globe. 



