METALLIC ORNAMENTS OF NEW YORK INDIANS ICJ 



Fig. 235 is a unique article, differing- from a cylindric bead and 



yet suggestive of one. It was found at Indian castle in Pompey, a 



site occupied in 1677 and for some time earlier. It is a long and 



slender silver tube, having rows of small perforations at one end. 



This suggests its use by the medicine men in blowing the medicinal 



water on the, patient. It is moderately curved and is seven inches 



long, but is quite likely not to have been a mere ornament. If it 



had that character, something might have been attached by using 



the holes. One small elliptic lead bead came from the Onondaga 



fort of 1696. 



Pendants or bangles 



A favorite ornament for the past three centuries is a conical roll 

 of sheet metal, attached to various parts of the dress. Collectively 

 they may form! fringes, and their tinkle adds to the music of the 

 dance. They often have colored hair, or other adornments, drawn 

 in so as to form tassels. The copper has often preserved these frail 

 materials for over two centuries. They are usually of moderate size, 

 but Mr Hildburgh has one from Oneida Valley about 5^ inches long. 

 Mr Schoolcraft figured a cluster of three from Onondaga county, 

 presumably from the site of 1696. He said they were " three fourths 

 of an inch in length, bell-shaped, and composed of native copper, 

 beat very thin." Schoolcraft, p. 143. At a later day his judgment 

 would have been different. They are found on most recent Iroquois 

 sites, but the later Indians have used other metals. The writer 

 recalls none of native copper. 



Fig. 262 is of brass and of unusual size. The writer found this 

 on Indian hill, Pompey, many years ago, and the smaller ones were 

 then frequent there, as well as shreds of sheet brass and copper. 

 Fig. 263 is a characteristic example found 2 miles west of Cana- 

 joharie. Fig. 260 is one of the common form from Indian hill. 

 Fig. 259 is one from Cayuga, retaining the ornamental hair and 

 part of the cord. They have been common on most recent Iroquois 

 sites, and are frequent in collections. Fig. 258 is a cluster of these 

 belonging to an Onondaga Indian, but these are now made of iron. 

 Lead or zinc may be used instead. One early form of bangles was 

 of deers hoofs, and for this sheeps hoofs may be substituted. 



