88 Cincinnatt Society of Natural Fiistory. 
The Sioux of the plains can quickly cover themselves from their 
foes, by digging holes and throwing up breastworks. 
SCALPING. 
This custom was practiced by the Chicenecas, or barbarous 
tribes of Northern Mexico. They were borne off as trophies of 
prowess. This practice is not observed by the Indians west of the 
Rocky Mountains, but the natives of Nootka carry off the skulls 
of their enemies. The custom prevailed in eastern Asia. Herod- 
otus ascribes it to the Scythians, who suspended the scalps from the 
bridles of their horses. 
The wild Indians generally mutilate the dead bodies. They cut 
off the head, ears, nose, lips, hands or feet, and the tendons in the 
bend of the arms, and opposite the knee-cap, or slit open the chest 
and tear out the heart and viscera. 
The captive foe is tortured at the stake. The tribe looks on witha 
spirit of revenge and exultation, while the victim taunts his tor- 
mentors with their inability to inflict pain. 
Captives are sometimes distributed among the tribe, and Bartram 
describes a Creek chief who was attended by Indian slaves cap- 
tured in war. The friends of captives regard them as dead. 
TREATIES. 
All treaties are attended with the ceremony of smoking the cal- 
umet or pipe of peace—and in the exchange of belts of beads 
called wampum. The great men made speeches, which are heard 
in profound silence and with strict attention. 
The calumet is regarded as sacred, it is never suffered to touch 
the ground, and the chief who presents it narrates the history of the 
important ceremonies when it was used. ‘The stem is generally 
flat, of wond, four feet long, decorated with beads, and porcupine 
quills of brightest colors, and a fan-shaped ornament of eagle’s 
feathers ; the bowl is of red catlinite. This pipe confers inviola- 
bility on those who carry it. 
The Indians as far west as the Rocky Mountains use it. The 
Canada Indians say it originated with the Pawnees of Missouri. 
This statement is confirmed by the Mandans and Muiunstarees. 
(See DuPratz, History of Louisiana). DeSoto, Hudson, Herriot, 
and Smith, do not say much about the calumet. ; 
The belts of wampum were intended to remind the parties of the 
various articles in the treaty. The belt has no special hieroglyph- 
