88 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



While the Iroquois made many records by pictures, these were 

 usually on wood or bark, but sometimes were painted on stone. 

 Such examples were known in St. Lawrence and Montgomery 

 counties. No engraved pictures in rocks have been reported here, 

 but a few occur in large stones, notably on the Hudson. There is 

 an account of footmarks in stone in Suffolk and Westchester coun- 

 ties, and in the latter mortars are common, excavated in the rocks. 



Stone heaps occur sparingly all over New York, and there are 

 frequent allusions to the aboriginal custom of casting stones on such 

 heaps, in early records. The stone heap near Schoharie creek was 

 the most noted of such monuments, and was constantly added to 

 as late as 1753, if not later. Such heaps sometimes covered graves, 

 but not invariably. The Schoharie tumulus was reported as four 

 rods long, between one and two wide, and from ten to fifteen feet 

 high, being of the largest size. An early account of it will be found 

 in the New York Documentary History. Small heaps of stone are 

 sometimes found within the lines of forts, gathered as defensive 

 missiles, but they are not conspicuous. 



This bulletin completes a general view of the stone implements 

 and ornaments of the aborigines of New York, to which the paper 

 on articles of chipped stone formed the introduction. Abundant 

 materials are in hand for others on the interesting earthenware 

 of our early inhabitants, as well as their articles of bone, horn, shell, 

 wood and metal, of scarcely less interest and beauty, should it be 

 determined to complete such a series. Any information on either 

 rare or common articles of this kind will be gratefully received. 

 Figures are desirable, with full descriptions available for record, 

 but specially notes of locality. This most important point in com- 

 parative study should never be neglected. Of course contributions 

 to the State Museum are very desirable, and many collectors may 

 be disposed to do a public service in this way, but clear and full 

 notes, to be compiled and preserved, will be an acquisition of no 



