260 NAKCOTIC USAGES AND SUPERSTITIONS 



birds, reptiles, &c. Not only are the features of the various objects 

 represented faithfully, but their peculiarities and habits are in some 

 degree exhibited. The otter is shewn in a characteristic attitude, 

 holding a fish in his mouth ; the heron also holds a fish ; and the 

 hawk grasps a small bird in its talons, which it tears with its beak. 

 The panther, the bear, the wolf, the beaver, the otter, the squirrel, 

 the racoon, the hawk, the heron, crow, swallow, buzzard, the paroquet, 

 toucan, and other indigenous and southern birds ; the turtle, the 

 frog, toad, rattlesnake, etc., are recognised at first glance."* To 

 this comprehensive list Mr. Squier makes further additions in a work 

 of later d^te. Contrasting the truthfulness of the carvings from 

 the mounds with the monstrosities or caricatures of nature usually 

 produced by the savage sculptor, he remarks : " they display not 

 only the general form and features of the objects sought to be re- 

 presented, but to a surprising degree their characteristic expression 

 and attitude. In some instances their very habits are indicated. 

 Hardly a beast, bird, or reptile, indigenous to the country is omitted 

 from the list ;" and in addition to those named above, he specifies 

 the elk, the opossum, the owl, vulture, raven, duck, and goose, and 

 also the alligator. f Of no less interest are the numerous examples 

 of sculptured human heads, some of them presenting striking traits 

 of individual portraiture, and which are assumed, from the minute 

 accuracy of many of the accompanying sculptures of animals, to fur- 

 nish faithful representations of the predominant physical features of 

 the ancient people by whom they were made. 



Compared with the monuments of Central and Southern America, the 

 sculplured facades of the temples and palaces of Mexico and Peru, 

 the friezes adorned with hieroglyphics, the kalendars, and colossal 

 statues of gods and heroes, of Yucatan : the art which found its 

 highest object in the decoration of a pipe-bowl is apt to appear 

 insignificant enough. Nevertheless, the simplicity, variety, and ex- 

 pression of these miniature works of art, their evidence of great 

 imitative skill, as well as of delicacy of execution, all render them just 

 objects of interest and careful study. But high as is the value which 

 attaches to them as examples of the primitive aesthetic arts of this 

 continent, they have a still higher significance in relation to ethnolo- 

 gical inquiries. By the fidelity of their representations of so great a 

 variety of objects derived from the animal kingdom, they furnish 

 evidence of a knowledge, possessed by these ancient artists of the 



* Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley. Page 152. 

 t Antiquities of the State of New York. Page 338. 



