REMAINS OF ANCIENT WORKMANSHIP. 



87 



Such images were formerly common with the Indians, and are still to be found 

 among the remote tribes, which retain many of their ancient customs. " Most of 

 the Crees carry with them one or more small wooden figures rudely carved, some 

 of which they state to be representations of a malicious or at least a capricious being 

 named Kepuchikan (or Gepuchikan), to whom they make offerings." (J. Richardson's 

 Arctic Searching Expedition, 1852, page 268.) 



Fig. 58 represents a circular stone composed of variegated quartz, of a light gray 



Two thirds natural size. 



color, perforated ; doubtless intended to be used in the Indian game of tchung-kee, 

 as described by Catlin.^ 



* The Mandans have a game " which may be said to be their favorite amusement, and unknown to the 

 other tribes about them. The game is tchung-kee (see Fig. 59), a beautiful athletic exercise which thej 



seem to be almost unceasingly practising whilst the weather is fair, and they have nothing else of 

 moment to demand their attention. This game is decidedly their favorite amusement, and is played 

 near to the village on a pavement of clay which has been used for that purpose until it has become as 

 smooth and hard as a floor. For this game two champions form their respective parties, by choosing 



