j6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



*' in the richest silks, fine scarlet clothes, bordered with gold fringe,. 

 a profusion of brooches, rings in their noses, their ears slit, and their 

 heads decorated with feathers." These things bear out the state- 

 ment made by an Onondaga to the writer, that 50 years ago some 

 families had each a bushel of such ornaments. 



In speaking of personal adornment, Loskiel said that Indian 

 women were well dressed: 



The Delaware men pay particular attention to the dress of their 

 women, and on that account clothe themselves rather meanly. 

 There are many who would think it scandalous to appear better 

 clothed than their wives. Loskiel, 1:51 



The women wore petticoats, reaching a little below the knee. 

 Some wore garments " of printed linen or cotton of various colors,, 

 decorated at the breast with a great number of silver buckles, which 

 are also worn by some as ornaments upon their petticoats. . .. 

 They adorn their ears, necks and breasts with corals, small crosses,, 

 little round escutcheons, and crescents, made either of silver or 

 wampom." Loskiel, 1 152 



Heckewelder speaks much to the same purpose : 



The wealthy adorn themselves besides with ribands and gartering- 

 of various colors, beads and silver brooches. These ornaments are 

 arranged by the women, who, as well as the men, know how to set 

 themselves off in style. . . The women, at the expense of their 

 husbands or lovers, line their petticoat and blue or scarlet cloth 

 blanket or covering with choice ribands of various colors, on which 

 they fix a number of silver brooches, or small round buckles. 

 Heckcii'elder, p. 203 



Quotations regarding the lavish use of silver ornaments, specially 

 in the latter part of the 18th century, might be multiplied. It may 

 be well to add what Mr Morgan has said of this feature of Seneca 

 dress. The short overskirt of calico, called by them Ah-de-d-da- 

 zvc-sa, and reaching above the knee, usually had one or two rows 

 of brooches on each side, as the writer often has seen them. Morgan 

 adds: 



The Indian female delights in a profusion of silver ornaments, 

 consisting of silver brooches of various patterns and sizes, from 



