88 



[Sewatk 



worn in the girdle. Four specimens are furnished, one of white weasel^ 

 one of squirrel, one of mink, and one of fisher skin. The latter was 

 worn many years by Johnson, (Sose-ha-wii) a nephew of Red Jacket,, 

 and now one of the most distinguished living chiefs of the Senecas. 



Da-ya-ya-da-ga-ne-at-hiiy or Bow and Shaft, for striking firsr 



This is an Indian invention, and of great antiquity. Its rudeness 

 may excite a smile, in this day of lucifer matches, but yet the step 

 backward to the steel and flint is about the same, as from the latter to 

 the contrivance in question. Not knowing the use of metals or of chemi* 

 cals, it was the only method of creating fire known to the Red man. 

 It consisted of an upright shaft, about four feet in length and an inch 

 in diameter, with a small wheel set upon the lower part, to give it mo- 

 mentum. In a notch at the top of the shaft was set a string, attached 

 to a bow about three feel in length. The lower point rested upon a 

 block of dry wood, near which are placed small pieces of punk. When 

 ready to use, the string is first coiled around the shaft, by turning it 

 with the hand. The bow is then pulled downward, thus uncoiling the 

 string, and revolving the shaft towards the left. By the momentum 

 given to the wheel, the string is again coiled up in a reverse manner 



