156 CERTAIN SAND MOUNDS OF 



heads described as of sheet copper (probably brass) are found in the graves of post- 

 Columbian Canadian Indians. 1 This thin and flexible material could have served no 

 practical purpose, and was doubtless put in as a makeshift, as were the earthen- 

 ware arrow heads of some of the river mounds. 



It is our belief, based upon careful supervision of ourself and a number of ex- 

 perienced assistants, that during the demolition of the mound no sherds of stamped 

 decoration were met with below the immediately superficial portion. 



In the upper stratum were several bowls, perforated as to the base subsequent 

 to completion, presenting no features of interest. 



On the base were various sherds, two showing decoration with crimson pigment. 

 The bottoms of two small vessels were met with, also on the shell, each with four 

 small knobs to serve as a means of support, enabling the vessel to maintain an 

 upright position. This unusual addition to mound earthenware was met with 

 during our earlier investigations at Tick Island, and will again be referred to in 

 connection with the mound at Racey Point. 



In the white sand layer, 8 feet from the surface, was a boat-shaped imperforate 

 vessel. Unlike all pottery found upon the base, it was apparently unassociated 

 with human remains. Approximate measurements are, length 5*2 inches, maximum 

 width 2-2 inches, depth 1-3 inches (Plate XXIV, Fig. 2). 



On the base of the northern slope of the mound, 6 feet from the surface, with 

 human remains, was a rudely made but spirited earthenware effigy of a duck — 

 probably a male wood-duck, a variety found in the neighborhood. The length of 

 this curious effigy, from end of bill to tip of tail, is 9 inches, its breadth 3*5 inches 

 (Plate XXIV, Fig. 3). 



Imbedded in the base of shell, 105 feet from the surface, was a vase with six 

 upright flutings around the body. The bottom, which had been knocked out, lay 

 with it, and is included in the restoration given in Plate XXV, Fig. 1. Height 4 - 5 

 inches; diameter at mouth, including flaring rim, 4 - 4 inches. 



Three and one-half feet down was an imperforate vessel resembling the bowl 

 of a spoon, with perpendicularly projecting handle, terminating in an effigy of an 

 animal head. Length about 3 inches; breadth about 2 inches; height, exclusive 

 of handle, -8 of an inch (Plate XXV, Fig. 2). 



Two globular vessels lay in association 10 feet from the surface. Both showed 

 base perforation subsequent to completion. They were undecorated. Approximate 

 measurements of the larger are, maximum diameter 7'5 inches; diameter of aper- 



1 "These arrow-heads are rudely and carelessly cut from portions of European copper kettles. They 

 must have been quite useless for shooting, and seem to have been made simply as substitutes for flints 

 for burial purposes. The large number of EuropeaD articles found in some of the graves renders it toler- 

 ably clear that although those who made the graves retained the old custom of depositing objects of vari- 

 ous kinds with the bodies, they had lost the art of making chipped arrow points. Here we seem to have 

 an overlapping of the old and the new order of things, as in many other places where specimens of white 

 manufacture are buried in accordance with the traditional customs of the Indians. In this case arrows 

 were probably regarded as a necessity, and the ghosts of these thin copper specimens were thought suffi- 

 cient for spiritual uses." — Report Canadian Institute, Session 1891, page 51. 



