CERTAIN ABORIGINAL REMAINS OF THE ALABAMA RIVER. 321 



With two burials were numbers of small marine univalves (Margznella) 

 perforated for stringing. 



Fig. 34.— Shell gorget. Mound on Charlotte Thompson Pia 



Ear-plugs. — As is well known, it was the custom of many of our aborigines to 

 pierce the lobe of the ear and to enlarge the opening so that various objects, some of 

 considerable size, could be worn by thrusting them through the lobe. This curious 



custom, still to a certain extent kept up by women, which attained its maximum as 

 to size of perforation in Peru, permitted the buttoning in of various objects, some of 

 copper, such as are found in Ohio and elsewhere, or of stone, copper-coated, like 



41 JOUEN. A. N. S. PHTLA., VOL. XL 



