ii6 



SMITH50XIAX MISCKLLAXEOUS COLLECTIOXS 



VOL. 70 



A study of Chippewa material cidture. extendin^y- over several 

 previous years, was continued on the White Earth and Red Lake 

 reservations in .Minnesota, sjjecial attention being given to the his- 

 tory and develo]jment of Chippewa art. A conventional form of 

 design was found to have existed before the present floral patterns, 

 said bv the Indians to be comparatively modern. Examides of these 



Fig. 123. — Chippewa Woman Larr_\inu Pack of Bircli 

 Bark. 



early designs were obtained from the old women, and include con- 

 ventional flowers and leaves, as well as geometric patterns. Indus- 

 trial art was also studied, one of its interesting phases being the proc- 

 ess of securing and storing birch bark, as well as the manner of its 

 use. Before digging a medicine herb the Chi])]jewa puts tobacco in 

 the ground as an " ofl"'ering."" The same custom is observed before 

 cutting a birch tree, the tobacco being first held toward the zenith 

 and the cardinal jjoints. with low " talking." This can scarcely be 

 termed "" su])plication." as the mental attitude of the Chippewa when 



