46 GEOLOGY OF OHIO. 



be at the trouble to carry a few yards of earth if inclined to show their 

 grief or respect in that manner. 



The name "Indian," as generally used, is not more definite than the 

 term "'European;" the various tribes, in their primitive stage, were as 

 diverse in their manner of life as the people of different countries. The 

 peaceable Mandans or "Ground House Indians," and the blood-thirsty 

 Apaches or Comanches; the energetic Iroquois or restless Shawnees, and 

 the stupid Diggers but little above the beasts; — are entirely unlike in 

 disposition and characteristics. 



It is not probable the aboriginal population of the United States was 

 ever much, if any, greater than at present. True, the New England 

 Indians were greatly reduced by a pestilence of some sort about the year 

 1600; but this was only local, and there seem to have been but a few 

 thousands of them at any time. Smith, in his account of Virginia, speaks 

 of most villages as containing only a few men, and placed miles apart. 

 The Iroquois were unable to send more than a few hundred warriors on 

 a foray. In Ohio, Indian towns of a thousand inhabitants were rare. 



No reason exists for supposing a different state of affairs in prehis- 

 toric times. The conditions of life were practically the same; and from 

 all indications they were met in the same way. 



The ration issued to slaves on southern plantations was a peck of 

 corn-meal, four pounds of bacon, and in some places, a quart of molasses, 

 each week. If the allowance proved inadequate, a comprehensive system 

 of foraging made up the deficiency. On such a basis, supposing that 

 with their crude methods the Indians or Mound Builders could raise only 

 26 bushels to the acre, a town of one thousand people would require in a 

 year the corn from a field of 500 acres; and much more than 200,000 

 pounds of fresh meat, to allow for the loss of weight in curing. Nuts and 

 fruits from the forest would considerably augment these supplies. 



SECTION V. 

 RELICS. 



In its common meaning this term includes all articles of aboriginal 

 handiwork, under whatever conditions they may be found, or for whatever 

 purpose intended. It is so used here; no distinction is attempted between 

 surface and exhumed specimens. 



As noted elsewhere, various substances were imported from foreign 

 localities; but the vast majority of objects found are made of material 

 native to the state or near its borders. In glacial deposits are granite, 

 quartz, diorite, syenite, and other varieties of hard, tough rock suitable 

 for implements and utensils which must withstand rough usage, as axes, 

 hatchets, wedges, club-heads, pestles, mortars, hammers, and the like. In 

 any gravel bank, or along the shores of any stream rising within the area 

 covered by the drift, such stones are abundant. Slate, for ornamental or 

 ceremonial objects, although plentiful around the upper lakes, occurs in 



