INDIAN ANTIQUITIES, 117^ 



In figure 6 are four irregularly-formed receptacles made in a piece of -wood, only 1^ inch 

 wide, not quite 2 inches long^ and only five eighths of an inch thick. Unless the cavities were 

 for rare condiments or pigments, I cannot imagine their use. 



The most laborious eiforts at carving which the tomb has revealed are displayed in three 

 sharply elliptical vessels — all of the same material, form, and, as nearly as may be, dimensions. 



Figure 7 represents one of them. Of a pale-yellow colored wood, its longest diameter at top 

 is 6 inches, its shorter one 2\ ; the depth is 3f inches, and the bottom measures 3^ by 2| 

 inches. See A and B. Both sides, the inside especially, are covered with innumerable fresh- 

 looking marks of the imperfect tools emijloyed, clearly indicating that the vessels had been 

 little used since made. Their design is a perfect enigma ; and the puzzle is made still more 

 perplexing by two holes, nearly half an inch square, cut through the bottom of each (see A 

 and B ;) in addition to which, there are two minute perforations, about one tenth of an inch in 

 diameter, drilled through the ends just above the bottom, as if for the purpose of passing a wire 

 or small cord from end to end through the interior. One of these holes is shown in figure B. 



Figure 8 is a coarsely-plaited basket, 6^ inches long by 4| broad, and 41 inches deep. It is 

 made of rushes, whose ends retain their cylindrical form ; they slightly exceed one eighth of 

 an inch in thickness. 



In this basket were some ears of Indian corn, much shorter than any variety cultivated with 

 us. They are from four to five inches in length, the cobs being three quarters of an inch in 

 diameter. The grain is narrow and deep, and resembles the gourd-seed corn of the southern 

 States. The rows vary from twelve to sixteen. 



There were also some sweet potatoes in the tomb ; but they crumbled on exposure to the air, 

 and could not be preserved. 



Figure 9 is a neatly and closely woven basket, or bowl, 5^ inches in diameter, used for 

 holding liquids, and which it would still retain, although a portion of it has disappeared from 

 dampness. It contained some small matters — as several rods, A\ inches long, perforated 

 lengthwise through the centre, and leaving two notches near one end, opposite each other, and 

 communicating by a transverse hole. (See figures 10.) There were smoothly-shaped slips of a 

 hard and cocoa-colored wood, whose purpose it is difficult to determine. (See figures 11.) They 

 would have made excellent teeth for native combs. 



There were also six sticks, varying in length from 14 inches to 6. (See figures 12.) Three 

 of these have holes worked out at one end. All have been colored red, and one with red bands. 

 Their use is not known. 



There were found with these things two metallic objects, which are, therefore, figured with 

 them. Figure 13 is one : it is a nodule of ironstone, which G-arcilasso, the Inca historian, says 

 his countrymen occasionally used as a material for tools, and which they named quilley. This 

 may have been the upper part of a chisel or punch, for which it seems to have been well enough 

 adapted. From the fracture, a considerable part appears to have been broken off. The figure 

 is of the natural size. 



Figures 14 and 15. A bronze bodkin, which the finders mistook for gold. The alloy is similar to 

 that of the third figure described on Plate VIII. It has been cast, and towards the point is smooth. 

 The extreme point has been broken ofi'. The instrument might be serviceable in many opera- 

 tions in modern arts. At the upper end is a slit, either artificial or from a flaw in the casting. 

 About an inch of the upper part was wound thickly round with thread of Llama wool, and then 

 covered with interlaced reed, making a secure and excellent handle. There was no moving the 

 instrument from its haft but by cutting through the latter, so firmly were both secured together. 



Figure 16 is an equally interesting instrument — a primeval needle, made of a cactus thorn. 

 It is strong, elastic, black like polished ebony, and as sound as ever it was. The end has 

 been flattened where the eye is. Portions of a fine thread remain in the eye, as well and uni- 

 formly twisted as any in modern ladies' work-baskets, and composed oi five distinct strands or 

 separate threads. 



