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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



pleted iii all its details as the weaving proceeds; that is to say, the 

 weaving is not first completed and then the belt beaded and em- 

 broidered, but beading and embroidery are applied as the weaving 

 proceeds. An examination of plate 14 where the belt and material 

 are illustrated will make the meaning clear. 



The burden strap was purchased from Peter Snyder for a New 

 York collector who had at that time an interesting collection. Last 

 winter the belt came into the possession of the State Museum where 

 it forms a unique collection. 



The story of the belt is, that it was started in 181 1 by Hanging 

 Kittle, into whose family Alary Jemison, the white captive, 

 had been adopted. When Hanging Kittle died the belt was left 

 incomplete, for reasons understood by the Indians, and more than 

 a quarter of a century later it was wrapped up by a Mrs Snyder, 

 a Seneca woman, and the grandmother of Peter Snyder who sold 

 the belt. Peter said he had frequently heard the story of the 

 belt which had been designed for his father who was to use it 

 to carry venison from the Allegheny river hunting grounds to his 

 home. The newspaper wrapping found about the strap was dated 



1843- 



Masks. Another series of articles of exceptional interest is 

 the set of masks used by the le'i-'dos O-a'-no or Society of Charm 

 Keepers. These masks differ from those used by the False Face 

 Company and are never used in the mask ceremonies. The Arche- 

 ologist was fortunate enough to obtain- several flashlight pictures 

 of the society and will include them in a later report on the Animal 

 Societies of the Iroquois. 1 



Folklore. Satisfactory progress has been made in the collection 

 of myths and folk tales, 20 being recorded when attending the mid- 

 winter celebration in January 1908. Twelve good phonograph 

 records were made of folk songs of unusual interest. This section 

 now has a valuable collection of Seneca folk tales, and ceremonial 

 texts. 



Art and symbolism of the Iroquois. The study of the decorative 

 art and symbolism of the Iroquois has been continued. Designs 

 have been copied from many decorated Indian artifacts from New 

 York State, belonging to the museum. 



In plate 9 is shown a number of pattern designs taken from 

 decorated rims of pottery vessels. The designs are typically Iro- 

 quois and as motifs for border decoration are not without value 

 to art students and practical designers. The patterns are simple 



*See also Parker, A. C, Iroquois Medicine Societies. American Authro- 

 pologist, July-Sept., 190Q. 



