INDIANS OF THE PLAINS 



19 



worked in porcupine quills. These bags were used in the Midewin, the 

 secret society of the shamans. Visitors interested in the designing art 

 will find the eases of this hall full of bead, quill and textile designs of a 

 high order. (See Guide Leaflets, "Indian Bead Work" and "Indians of 

 Manhattan.") 



The dwellings are of several forms, among which may be mentioned 

 the long rectangular houses of 

 the Iroquois covered with oak 

 bark; the dome-shaped huts 

 of Long Island and vicinity 

 which were covered with mats 

 and bundles of grass, and the 

 familiar conical wigwam of 

 the Ojibway covered with 

 birchbark. The utensils are 

 of pottery, wood or birchbark. 

 Pottery was not made by all 

 the Eastern tribes and seems to 

 be assoeiated with the practice 

 of agriculture. The designs are 

 incised, never painted. Bowls, 

 trays, and spoons are made of 

 wood and often decorated with 

 animal carvings. The use of 

 birchbark in the construction 

 of light, portable household 

 vessels is a particular trait of 

 our Eastern Indians. 



In the southeastern portion 

 of the United States agricul- 

 ture was highly developed. 

 These tribes are represented 

 by the Cherokee and Yuchf 

 who made pottery, and by the 

 Choctaw and Chitimacha who 

 have interesting baskets made 

 of cane. The Seminoles of 

 Florida have maintained an 

 independent existence in the 

 Everglades for nearly a century 



A DANCER OF THE DOG SOCIETY 



Arapaho Indian 



Their picturesque costumes are shown. 

 Their prehistoric arts are shown in the table case; they excelled in 

 polishing stones and working shell. 



