No. 75.] 79 



matter to bring down the deer, the wild fowl, or the warrior himself. 

 Skeletons have been disentombed having the skull penetrated by an 

 arrowhead of this description, with the flint head itself still in the frac- 

 ture, or entirely within the skull. In Oregon, and on the upper Missis- 

 sippi, the Indian arrow is still pointed with flint. Thus it was with the 

 Iroquois, until the bow was laid aside for the rifle. Arrow heads of this 

 description are still scattered over the whole surface of the State. Six 

 bows, of diflferent sizes, and some bundles of feathered arrows, will be 

 found in the collection. With Indian youth, the bow and arrow is still 

 a favorite source of amusement. 



Gus-ha-ah, or Burden Strap. 



Rope-making, from filaments of bark, is also an Indian art. The 

 deer string answers a multitude of purposes in their domestic economy ; 

 but it could not supply all necessities. The bark rope (Gii-sken da)has 

 been fabricated among them from time immemorial. In its manufac- 

 ture they use the bark of the slippery elm and the basswood. Having 

 removed the outer surface of the bark, they divide it into narrow strips, 

 and then boil it in ashes and water. After it is dried it is easily sepa- 

 rated into small filaments, the strings running with the grain several 

 feet without breaking. These filaments are then put up in skeins 

 (specimens of which are furnished) and laid aside for use. Basswood 

 makes the most pliable rope; it is soft to the touch, can be closely 

 braided, and is very durable. The burden strap is worn around the 

 forehead and lashed to a litter, which is borne by Indian women on 

 their back. It is usually about fifteen feet in length, and braided into 

 a belt in the centre, three or four inches wide. Several specimens are 

 furnished, one of which is new, and neatly manufactured. A clothes 

 line, of three-strands bark rope, about forty-feet in length, is also among 

 the articles. This art, like many others, is falling into disuse. But 

 few Indian families now provide themselves with skeins of bark thread, 

 or make any use of ropes of this description. 



