50 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
point was left a little open for suspension. If an arrowhead 
was desired, it was rolled tightly so as to make a sharp point. 
Fig. 85 shows one of the latter, in the Hildburgh collection, 
which has part of the slender shaft remaining. It was found in 
Livingston county, where the form is frequent. Fig. 148 is 
another, belonging to G. W. Chapin of Fonda N. Y. and was 
found on Briggs creek, north of the Mohawk river. The writer 
has seen many on the Pompey, Owego and Cayuga sites, and 
they abound in Ontario county. Fig. 183 is a fine example, 
recently found at Indian hill in Pompey. 
In these selections from a great number of specimens and 
figures, it will be seen that the Iroquois changed the material 
but not the form of the arrowhead. Probably nine out of 10 
are simply long triangles, the favorite Iroquois form when they 
used stone. The rolled and cylindric examples do not differ 
much in form from the earlier ones made of horn. Those with 
stems are everywhere rare, and some were not made by the 
Indians, but sold to them or given as presents. Most persons — 
are familiar with the iron arrowheads used by our western 
tribes but they are hardly a new feature of savage life. Some 
Abenakis came from New England to visit Count Frontenac 
in 1691 and proffer him their aid. In reply he told them they — 
might have all the iron arrowheads they could carry away. : 
This shows he had a constant and abundant supply. 
Brass kettles 
The earthen pot survived the coming of the brass kettle for 
a generation, for poor Indians could make the former when 
unable to buy the latter. The advantages of the metallic vessel 
were too great, however, to be foregone except in case of need. 
It was light, durable and convenient, and was at once a favorite. 
Even to the happy hunting grounds its spirit could go with the 
Indian warrior. Hence came a curious custom among the 
Hurons of Canada, always in early days noted as thieves. The 
articles were valuable and the graves might be robbed. The 
safeguard was to cut a hole in the bottom with an axe, which 
