87 



and the bow again drawn up. The bow is again pulled downward, 

 and the revolution of the shaft reversed, uncoiling the string, and re- 

 coiling it in reverse as before. This alternate revolution of the shaft 

 is continued, until sparks are emitted from the point where it rests upon 

 the piece of dry wood below. In a moment's time sparks are produced 

 by the intensity of the friction, and ignite the punk, which speedily 

 furnishes a fire. 



O-no-ne-a Gos-ha-da, or Corn-husk Salt Bottle. 



Several varieties of basket work will be found among the articles. 

 In this, useful art the Indian women excel. They are made with a neat- 

 ness, ingenuity and simplicity which deserve the highest praise. Among 

 the number are two sieve baskets, used for sifting corn meal. Another 

 variety is made of corn-husks and flags, an ingeniously manufactured 

 basket, which is seldom met with. Two, corn-husk bottles for salt, are 

 also furnished. 



Ga-de-us-ha, or Necklace. See plate 3, fig. 2. 



This necklace is made of silver and wampum beads. The latter are 

 of a dark color, and are cut from a species of sea shell. Beads of this 

 description are held in the highest estimation. In strings of wampum 

 beads, the laws of the ancient confederacy of the Iroquois were record- 

 ed. According to their method of expressing the idea, the law was 

 " talked into the string of wampum," and it became ever afterwards 

 the visible record of the law itself. By an original law of the league, a 

 sachem of the Onondagas (Ho-no-we-na-to) was made the hereditary 



