-ABORIGINAL USE OF WOOD IN NEW YORK 151 



In 1675 John Josselyn wrote of the finer class of bark articles, such 

 as once were common in New York, and said : 



Delicate sweet dishes too they make of Birch-Bark, sowed with 

 threads drawn from Sprnse or white CVc/ar-Roots, and garnish'd on 

 the outside with flourisht works, and on the brim with glistering 

 quills taken from the Porcupine, and dyed, some black, others red, 

 the white are natural, these they make of all sizes from a dram cup 

 to a dish containing a pottle. Josselyn, 23 : 307 



Such works of art may not have been used for ordinary meals 

 and may have been too elegant for state occasions. As receptacles 

 of ornaments they filled a need, but bowls and spoons had continual 

 use. Van Curler found them among the Oneidas in 1634. From 

 time to time a large kettle was brought in for the council, in which 

 food had been cooked in another place: 



If we happened to be in the house we received a basinful of food ; 

 for it seems to be the rule here that every one that comes here has 

 his basin filled; and if there were basins short they brought them 

 and their spoons with them. They sit side by side, and the basin, 

 when empty, is taken and filled again. Wilson, p.95 



The Canadian Algonquins used to cook in bark dishes, which 

 they called ouragana, but had changed these for brass kettles before 

 1633. A writer of that year was surprised that these bark vessels 

 were not burned. They told him that they placed the flesh and 

 water in the dish, heated some stones, and cast them into the water, 

 one by one. If they lost their kettles, some went back to the old 

 way. These were used in New York at an early day. 



In 1630 the Rev. Mr Higgeson mentioned " trayes, spoones, 

 dishes, and baskets " among an Indian's household effects. Daniel 

 Gookin is more explicit regarding the New England Indians, while 

 his remarks will apply to those in most of New York: 



Their dishes, and spoons, and ladles, are made of wood, very 

 smooth and artificial, and of a sort of wood not subject to split. 

 These they make of several sizes. Their pails to fetch their water 

 in, are made of birch bark, artificially doubled up, that it hath four 

 corners and a handle in the midst. Some of these will hold two 

 or three gallons ; and they will make one of them in an hour's time. 

 From the tree where the bark grows, they make several sorts of 



