66 Bulletin American Museum of Natural History. [Vol. XV III, 



I 



distance of about six inches. Connecting these were about 

 thirty short strips of hide, each about half an inch wide. These 

 strips were wound with com-husk of the four colors, — red, 

 yellow, black, and white. The arrangement and proportion 

 of colors on these strips were identical with those on the orna- 

 ment representing the ear. In addition, three or four smaller 

 strips, with the same color-pattern, were put on each of the 

 long pieces of hide, extending in the same direction as these; 

 that is, vertically. This entire ornament, in its general char- 

 acter, somewhat resembled the long orna- 

 ment hanging from the cradle shown in 

 Fig. 14, h. 



These buffalo-skin pillows with the tribal 

 ornamentation were decorated, like tents 

 and robes, under the direction of the old 

 women possessing the sacred seven work- 

 bags. It is probable that the last specimen 

 of this kind has now perished. 



Cradles, or infant-carriers, are also deco- 

 rated in a style similar to tent-ornaments. 

 The embroidery is altogether in quills. 

 Sometimes, however, only three colors are used on these 

 cradles, instead of four. There are two chief lines of sym- 

 bolism connected with this ornamentation. According to 

 one interpretation, the various ornaments represent the child 

 that is in the cradle. According to the other interpretation, 

 these ornaments represent parts of the tent. When the child 

 grows up, it will inhabit its own tent as now it inhabits the 

 cradle. Therefore this symbolism serves to express a wish 

 that the child may reach the age of manhood or womanhood. 

 Fig. 14, 6, shows such a cradle. The round ornament near 

 the top of the cradle, situated over the top of the child's head, 

 represents the head or skull of the child. The long ornament, 

 consisting of two strips of hide connected by red, black, and 

 white quill-wrapped strips, represents the child's hair. The 

 smooth, slippery quills denote the greasy hair of the child. 

 At the lower part of the cradle the long quill-covered thongs 

 represent ribs. The lowest pair, however, are the legs. Of 



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Buffalo-skin 



