23 



we tried earnestly to save it, yet went to pieces in our hands. 

 The frequency with which fragments of pottery are found in 

 the mounds has given rise to the theory that being used at the 

 time of the funeral rites the vessel was dashed to pieces as was 

 done by some ancient nations in the burial of the dead. This 

 theory is made very doubtful indeed by the discovery of the 



Figure 2. 



CUP FOUND IN GRAND MOUND AT RAINY RIVER, 

 August 22nd, 18S4. 



(b) Complete Pottery Cup. So far as I know this is the 

 only complete cup now in existence in the region northwest of 

 Lake Superior, though several others are said to have been 

 discovered and been sent to distant friends of the finders. 

 This cup, belonging now to the Historical Society was found 

 in the Grand Mound, in company with charred bones, skulls, 

 and other human bones, lumps of red ochre, and the shells just 

 described. The dimensions of the cup are as follows: (I re- 

 gret to say on its being lent to the Industrial Exhibition it 

 was lost. — G. B.) 



Mean diameter at top of rim 2.09 inches. 



Greatest mean diameter 3.03 



Height 2.49 " 



Thickness of material 092 



Weight oz. " 



