222 CERTAIN ABOETGINAL REMAINS OF THE NW. FLORIDA COAST. 



In contact with this double cup was a curious spiral vessel shown in two posi- 

 tions in Figs. 156, 157. 



Though this vessel, at first glance, resembles a ram's horn, we do not believe it 

 to have been modelled after one. 



In the first place, it is our opinion that the origin of the vessel antedates the 

 appearance of sheep in Florida. 



Secondly, there are marked points of difference in appearance between the ves- 

 sel and the horn of a ram. The corrugations are not encircling but leave a smooth 

 space the length of the lower part of the vessel. The distal end is rounded and 

 does not taper to a point as is the case in a horn. As to the aperture, we must bear 

 in mind it is open, of necessity, and may not be called upon to bear testimony as to 

 resemblance. 



There are grub-worms in Florida as long as, or longer than, the little finger of 

 a male hand and fully equal in diameter. Their extremities are rounded. The deep 

 corrugations covering their backs and sides end at the belly. As these worms lie 

 dead on the surface, we have seen them in the exact position shown in the vessel. 

 Besides, worms were of some importance along the Gulf coast in early days, being 

 an article of diet at times, according to Cabe^a de \'aca. 



We are convinced, then, that this vessel represents a life-form and is modelled 

 after the grub-worm. Height, 6.9 inches; maximum diameter of body, 2.9 inches; 

 diameter of opening, about 3 inches; width of entire vessel, 7.8 inches. 



About 6 inches distant from the worm-effigy were four arrowpoints or knives, 

 in association, three of chert, one of quartzite, while 10 inches to the south were 

 fragments of an almost cylindrical vessel of yellow ware. The base, which had been 

 flat, is missing. The decoration, punctate and lined, has crimson paint in places, 

 distinguishable in the half-tone (Fig. 158). The diagram (Fig. 159) shows, with 

 other symbols, a pair of open hands, the backs turned outward, the thumbs. thrust 

 back. Maximum diameter, 5.1 inches; diameter of opening, 4.3 inches; height of 

 vessel, 5.3 inches. 



The widespread emblem of the open hand was found by Mr. Gushing on a mus- 

 sel shell, among his wonderful discoveries at Marco, and the open hand appears on 

 a vessel from Alabama.' 



Considering the comparatively large number of burials but few articles lay 

 immediately with the dead. 



With Burial No. 60, two skulls with certain bones mingled, lay a "celt" about 

 11 inches in length, immediately beneath one of the skulls. 



Burial No. 63, a skeleton flexed at about right angles on the right side, had 

 near it a beautifully smoothed pendant of a fine grained slate rock, 6.5 inches in 

 length, .6 of an inch in maximum diameter, grooved at one end for suspension, of a 

 type to be figured later in the account of the Yent mound. 



In a grave, beneath the eastern slope of the mound, 6 feet below the surface, 

 lay Burial No. 66, fiexed at right angles on the left side. Along the right humerus 



1 Report Bureau of Ethnology. 1882-83, p. 433. 



