102 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



and ethnology. During the winter months of 19 18-19 a number 

 of exceptionally fine ethnological articles were acquired from the 

 Indians on the Tonawanda and the Cattaraugus reservations. 



At Cattaraugus reservation during the midwinter ceremony in 

 January 19 19, an almost complete set of the paraphernalia of the 

 Medicine Lodge was collected, including a flute, medicine bag, knot 

 cup and feast ladle. Other unique articles were bird dance wands 

 with eagle feathers having the handles decorated with quilled orna- 

 mentation. 



One of the finest small collections found on the reservations was 

 that in possession of an elderly Indian woman at Tonawanda. All 

 the specimens are old and were made and used by the Seneca during 

 the early years of last century. The articles include a rare wood 

 mask, a very fine baby cradle board, a beaded sash, husk trays, 

 strands of wampum, beaded cradle board wrappings, wooden dolls, 

 game javelins, and wooden spoons. (Presented by Mrs Frederick 

 F. Thompson). 



Of considerable importance to our Museum is a mound pot found 

 in a small burial mound near Vandalia on the Allegany river. This 

 vessel, though entire when found, was broken slightly by the finder. 

 It has been restored so that for all purposes it is as good as perfect. 

 It is the only complete mound pot from the State of which we have 

 any record. 



A small wampimi belt was presented by the estate of Mrs Abraham 

 Lansing. It is reported to have been one of the belts used at the 

 treaty of Fort Stanwix. The belt is 49 centimeters in length and 

 7 beads or 5 centimenters wide. The decoration consists of three 

 purple bars on a field of white beads. 



Cooperation with federal and state departments. This division 

 of the Museum has grown to be a repository of information not only 

 concerning the archeology, ethnology and history of the New York 

 aborigines, but also concerning the present condition and legal 

 status of the Indians of this State. This is of value and of impor- 

 tance to the people of the State and to the various administriative 

 departments. 



We have frequently supplied information, opinions and copies 

 of treaties to the Attorney General's office, in connection with 

 matters that have come before his office for review or opinion. 

 Anticipating requests of this kind we have taken occasion to keep 

 on file such books and documents as may be of service. During 

 the progress of the war we were called upon for information and 

 for opinions respecting the legal status of the Indians of the State, 



