ay fs} NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
powder in a cloth bag, two melting ladles and 2500 wampum- 
beads. There were also some Jesuit bronze rings. 
Though this is a great quantity from one grave, attesting the 
dignity or wealth of the inmate, some others probably exceeded — 
this in value when silver ornaments lavishly adorned the dead. 
Nothing was too good if they were really loved. The above 
list is curious in showing the contemporaneous use of many 4 
things. | | 
In describing the foregoing articles the writer has not forgot- 
ten that only those of native copper can be strictly called abo- 
riginal, but the later ones illustrated or mentioned were used ; 
by men still in their savage state, and in their own wild way. 
They were features of Indian life here for two centuries, and 
to understand that life we must know something of what was 
in daily use. It has been deemed sufficient to merely mention | 
many things. Guns and all that appertain to them have been . 
omitted. Jew’s-harps needed no illustration, unless of a plumed 
and painted warrior playing on one. Thus many things are © 
omitted in the figures given as being well known in a general — 
way, while prominence has been given to others of prehistoric 
age. Nearly half the figures are of native copper articles and 
references are made to very many more. By far the larger part of 
these have been found east of Cayuga lake, and north of the 
southern watershed of the Mohawk valley. West of the Gen- 
esee river and in the southeast part of the state few haye been 
reported. This may be the result of several causes now left 
without discussion. S 
The subject of metallic ornaments is left for another paper, 
though incidental reference has been made to them in this. 
They were very few in this state in prehistoric times, for readier 
and more showy materials were found. Copper implements 
were more in demand, for their toughness and durability rec- 
ommended them, even when stone could be more easily wrought. | 
They reveal trade and travel, and a skill of no mean order in 
working with primitive tools. *. 
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