METALLIC ORNAMENTS OF NEW YORK INDIANS 9 



The Dutch accounts are mainly of the Algonquin tribes toward 

 the sea. In the interior ornaments at first differed. The Iroquois 

 had very few shell beads, but sometimes used perforated fresh-water 

 shells and beads of colored sticks. Sweet grass was tastefully woven, 

 and colored porcupine quills, moose and deer hair were used in 

 embroidery. There were a few bone ornaments, and many of per- 

 forated wood. Feathers were everywhere worn, and in a tasteful 

 way. Skins were used with or without the fur, in the latter case 

 being finely finished and adorned. 



Father Bruyas gave the names of a few Mohawk ornaments used 

 in the latter part of the 17th century. Asara was a necklace or belt, 

 used also for ornaments put around the forehead. Garensa was a 

 string of glass beads. Gentare, to put red hair about the neck. 

 Ennitiagon, to put any ornament there. Osa was a robe, and Tsiosat 

 tsonnito, a robe made of six beaver skins. Atouannha was a brace- 

 let; for these they always wore, but it is significant that no word 

 is given for brooches. Onnigensa describes the hair of women hang- 

 ing down behind, it being the custom to braid it. Gannonsen, to 

 mark on the body with the point of a needle, is the only allusion to 

 tattooing, though this was frequently done. Gasire was a covering 

 with long hair, called Iroquois stuff. Garisk was a stocking, and 

 Garisk onwe mittens. There are also names for shoes, socks, blan- 

 kets, caps and suspenders. 



Curler (Corlaer) recorded a few words of this nature in 1635. 

 Assire or Oggaha was cloth; Endathatste, a looking-glass; Tiggere- 

 tait, combs; Dedaiawitha, shirts; and he obtained other names for 

 beads, wampum, caps, stockings and shoes. They had already 

 European articles in constant use. 



While there were early notices of copper ornaments along the 

 Atlantic coast, Hudson was the only one to mention them as occur- 

 ring within the limits of New York. Native copper implements 

 have often been found in the interior of the State, but early metallic 

 ornaments are there very rare, comprising only small beads. After 

 early trade or colonization commenced, all was quickly changed. 

 Copper and brass arrows replaced those of flint, and steel knives 

 those of stone. Brass kettles were lighter and stronger than those 



