MOJAVE IMAGES.—STONE AXES.—POTTERY. 
47 
kind of vessel is common with the present Puehlo Indians; and it was as common in ancient 
Mexico and Central America, for several have been dug up. In the cabinet of Dr. Davis, of 
New York, is a fine specimen from Palenque. It is impossible to compare ancient and modern 
specimens, without perceiving that in this branch of art no change, or next to none, has taken 
place in the countries named from times anterior to the discovery. 
Figures 8 and 9. Images of unbaked clay kept in their dwellings by the Mojaves. They 
remind one of similar things kept by and buried with the Egyptians ; and yet they do not 
appear to he intended for idols. Whether designed to preserve memorials of the dead, for 
children’s toys, or used by the medicine-men in their incantations—or whatever else their 
purpose is—was not ascertained. They vary in dimension, from a few inches to twelve and 
upwards. Some are elaborated into rude statuettes, and better finished in every respect than 
the two here figured. That they are not idols, may he inferred from the fact that when one was 
accidentally seen and purchased, quite a number were offered for sale. Brazilian Indians have 
wooden images representing the head and shoulders of men. (Lieut. Gibbon's Report on the 
Exploration of the Amazon, p. 299.) 
Figure a. A minute pot, not larger than a large orange, from the Pimas Indians, b. A 
pipe of the Pinal Leiios, a rude affair, and either used without a tube or inserted into a reed. 
With it was obtained a specimen of their tobacco, or kinik-kinik—an Algonquin word, and 
used by the Ojibwa Indians, now in Washington, for the same thing. 
Figures c, cl, and e. Stone axes, presenting no particularly marked features, d is the most, 
and c the least perfect. The latter has been used as a hammer, and the heads of all show how 
this wide class of primeval implements were employed as wedges, quite as much as edge-tools. 
That a moderate-sized tree w r as ever cut down by a stone axe is extremely problematical. 
Figure f has a rounded end, reminding one of similar convex hammers of Aztec and Peruvian 
silver-smiths : the opposite end is extremely blunt. This instrument was found at a Casa 
Grande, on the river Salinas. As it and d have grooves only on three sides, they were obviously 
used without a withe handle. In what manner, then, were they used ? The answer was 
given by four Ojibwa Indians, part of a delegation now in Washington. While drawing up 
this paper, they paid me a visit, and at once explained that the grooves were for the thumb 
and forefinger. The grooves prevent the instrument from slipping out of the grasp. 
In Dr. Davis’s cabinet are twenty-five axes and hammers from mounds in the Mississippi 
valley, some very large and heavy. Of these, sixteen have grooves only on the sides and one 
edge. 
Plate 39.—Among other relics, the usual arrow-heads of flint, quartz, &c., occurred through¬ 
out the survey; also numerous fragments of painted pottery, the material of which is com¬ 
monly dark colored and porous ; occasionally light red, with a closer grain ; and sometimes grey, 
and still more compact. In some specimens, the inside of the vessel (known by the concavity 
of the piece) has alone been painted; in others, the outside; and in some, both sides. The 
pieces here figured are sufficient to show the turn of the Indian mind in this branch of ornament. 
No. 1 is light and porous, cracked and corroded. 
No. 2, a dark clay, and sombre colored. On the other side, white lines, nearly obliterated, 
have been drawn on a dull brown ground. 
No. 3, the concave side of a fragment whose convex surface is shown at No. 8. 
No. 4. From its very slight concavity, it appears to have been a portion of a large vase— 
much larger than any of the other scraps belonged to. It is thick, of a dark colored and open 
clay. The opposite side is rough and uncolored. 
No. 5, of reddish clay and rather close grain, and better baked than most of the others. It 
is from the Colorado Chiquito (Flax River). 
No. 6. Dark grey material, and both sides painted. 
No. 7. From the hieroglyphic springs. Material, a dark grey ; the black lines shine as if laid 
on with varnish. The opposite, or outside, is colored red. 
