40 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



with extended arms, and a halo above the head. If intended for the 

 crucifixion, the cross does not appear. 



All those included in the foregoing paragraph have been recently- 

 gathered from' this old town whence hundreds have been taken 

 before. Mr Clark said that De Witt Clinton had a gold finger ring 

 from this place, procured at the time of his visit. 



Fig. 339 was sent to the writer by the late Rufus A. Grider, but 

 the design is somewhat indistinct. A medium sized heart appears 

 above the usual base, and there are other figures. This is from the 

 Mohawk valley, where the old mission sites have yielded many. The 

 writer regrets that he could not have given more attention to this 

 class of articles, in visiting several notable collections, but time 

 would not allow of this. Though of small size each one has minute 

 details which must be preserved, and much time is often required to 

 make out the design on account of corrosion. A great many, quite 

 distinct and as full of interest, could doubtless be added to those 

 here portrayed. 



Fig". 364 is an illustration of a novel ring. A coil of iron wire 

 several times encircled a finger, preserving the bone and as much 

 of the flesh as came in contact. This was found in Fleming. Fig. 

 368 is a small coil of copper wire which may have served as a ring. 

 This was found at Brewerton by Dr Hinsdale. 



When the Iroquois made silver fashionable, bronze rings disap- 

 peared, and for two centuries their silver successors have fairly well 

 held their place. They have disappeared more by being worn out 

 than through a change of fashion, none having been made for many 

 years. Fig. 363 shows one the writer bought of an old Oneida 

 woman. The general form is well preserved, but, if there were 

 ornamental details, they have been worn away. Mrs Converse was 

 fortunate in getting two fine examples here illustrated from her 

 drawings. Fig. 360 has two hands clasped over a heart. Fig. 361 

 has two hearts united. The symbolism is evident in both cases, 

 though the Indians possibly may have cared little for this. Fig. 

 362 is the largest silver ring the writer has seen, and, as it was prob- 

 ably worn only on great occasions, it is in fine preservation. It was 



