THE MOUND BUILDERS IN MISSOURI 533 



both bone and pottei-y than others, as we found that the dry sandy soil 

 furnished better preserved bones and pottery than that which was found 

 where the earth was more moist and heavier. We saw no marks of violence 

 upon the bones such as would indicate a violent death. As before remarked, 

 we found that in nearly ever}^ instance from one to three articles of pottery 

 were deposited near the head of each individual. The most common form 

 of which is the jug or water cooler. Next, the open dishes without orna- 

 ment or handle, a large proportion of which were broken when found, prob- 

 ably by action of frosts and weight of soil. The open dishes with four ears 

 and a flaring rim, or with projections by which it might be suspended, are 

 quite common. I saw only two attempts to make a square dish. 



The most curious and interesting forms are the human representations, 

 iind by far the most rare. Eude and ugl}' as they are may they not repre- 

 sent the prehistoric ideal of beauty? I think we can see in some specimens 

 a close resemblance to the ancient Peruvian pottery — a similar style of head- 

 dress is noticeable, and the humpback is very common. A few^vessels are 

 quite nicely ornamented in colors, some of which appear to have been laid 

 on with a brush, and others are a mixture with the clay, sometimes several 

 lines in thickness, and thoroughlj^ baked with the vessel. All these colors 

 are much more distinct after having been exposed to the sun than when 

 taken from the earth. 



The sun and moon are among the objects represented in colors. In some 

 instances figures of thei human head form the handles of open dishes and 

 are nicely wrought in fine clay. In such the cavity of the head contains 

 several little balls of elaj^, which make a noticeable rattle when the bowl is 

 shaken. 



We found a very good representation of a child's knit sock and the Indian 

 moccasin, several varieties of fishes — in some specimens the scales are nice- 

 ly shown. We have also the alligator, the turtle, frog and salt water clam ; 

 the opossum, the squirrel, fox, wolf, hog and beaver ; the turkey, owl and 

 duck, as well as the squash, gourd and melon. All these seem to have been 

 favorite forms. The owl and ducks' heads often formed the handles of 

 open dishes. i\ll these have openings showing they were made for use. 

 The majority will hold from one to three pints, a few large ones holding as 

 many quarts, and some hold not more than one or two ounces. In several 

 we found the bones of some of the small animals and fishes, and what ap- 

 peared to be the remains of animal matter, which may have been deposited 

 as food. 



In some of these vessels were found small pebbles showing positive 

 mai'ks of having been used and evidently deposited with care, small plates 

 of mica, very many muscle shells, and a very few beads of baked cla}-, oth- 

 ers made of shells. Among the other articles found in the graves were stone 

 spades from seven to thirteen inches long, chipped out and nicely polished 

 by long use^ the common form of spear-heads, arrow-heads and stone 

 kaaives, eelts and chisels, all nicely polished ; pestles of pottery, which I 



