The eight figures with hats on, in the upper row, indicate that there were eight white soldiers; and the muskets beside them show how they were armed. In the second row, No. 1, with the sword, represents the commander of the party; No. 2, with the book, is the secretary; No. 3, with a hammer, is the geologist; 4, 5, 6, are attendants. Nos. 7 and 8 represent the two guides, who are distinguished from the white men by being drawn without hats. Figure 11 represents a prairie-hen, and 12 a tortoise, which formed their meal at the encampment. Figures 13, 14, and 15, indicate that there were three fires; one for the soldiers, another for the officers, and a third for the Indians. The inclination of the pole showed the direction in which the party was about to go.

34. With the aid of pictures like the above, the Red Men communicated with each other. They also sometimes recorded important public events for the benefit of future ages by engraving symbolic characters on rocks and trees. But since, with their imperfect tools, this was a laborious process, it was seldom done; and, therefore, the Indians knew little of their past history except what was learned from oral tradition, that is, from stories handed down from father to son. In the course of years, much that was false was added to these accounts; yet, having no books by which

Where was the bark containing these symbols found? What information was it intended to convey? Describe the figures, and tell what they represent. 34. How did the Red Men sometimes record public events? What prevented them from doing this oftener? Whence did they obtain most of their knowledge of the

he could test their truth, the Red Man relied implicitly on whatever he had thus received.

The Muscogee account of the Deluge may be taken as an example of the mixture of truth and error in Indian traditions. It places that event before the creation of man, and represents two pigeons as having been sent forth in search of land while most of the earth was still covered with water. At first they were unsuccessful; but, on having gone forth again, they brought back a blade of grass, and soon after the waters subsided, and land appeared. This tribe believe that their ancestors always lived in some part of North America. They deny that any nation more civilized than themselves ever occupied the country before them. According to their traditions, they conquered a people who were journeying to the south, but were never themselves conquered until their conflicts with the whites. Before the arrival of the latter, they enjoyed a greater degree of peace than ever afterwards, and were less afflicted with disease. Such traditions, it will be seen, tell us little about the history of the country before its discovery by Columbus.

35. The language of the Indian, in ordinary conversation as well as formal speeches, was highly figurative and often sublime. Familiar with Nature in all her variety and majesty, the Red Man delighted in drawing his figures from the objects which she presented. If he wished to express the idea of prosperity, he would speak of a brilliant sun; adversity he would represent by lowering clouds; to proclaim war was to dig up the tomahawk; to make peace was to smoke the calumet. Many Indian chiefs were as distinguished for their eloquence as for their courage. Their delivery was animated, dignified, and forcible; their gesticulation, graceful and natural. Some of their speeches have scarcely been surpassed by the greatest efforts of civilized orators.

past? What is the character of most Indian traditions? What is the Muscogee tradition respecting the Deluge? What other traditions are held by this tribe? 35. What is said of the language of the Indian in conversation? From what did the Red Man draw his figures? Give examples. For what have many chiefs been distinguished?

36. ALLUSION has been made to relics of the aborigines, found in different parts of the country. These may be divided into two classes: first, those of more recent origin, evidently the work of an uncivilized people, such as ornaments, rude weapons, and imperfect utensils; and secondly, those which, from their ingenious design and superior finish, must be attributed to a race far above the savage state. These consist chiefly of stone and metallic implements, finely wrought pottery, mounds, and the remains of walls and fortifications,—all showing a high degree of mechanical skill, of which the Indian, as long as he has been known to Europeans, has never proved himself capable.

37. Most of the metallic remains are of copper, well plated, in a few instances, with silver. Bracelets, medals, arrow-heads, and pipe-bowls, of the former metal, have been found at great depths below the surface of the earth. At Marietta, Ohio, in a mound which had become partly undermined by a stream, a silver cup was discovered, with a regular and polished surface, finely gilt on the inside. Isinglass mirrors have also been dug up in various places.

38. Numerous remains of ancient pottery have been brought to light, which equal the best specimens of modern manufacture. They are tastefully moulded, finely glazed, and colored in a superior manner. Entire vessels, as well as numerous fragments, have been discovered many feet bèneath the surface, where they must have lain for centuries. At Nashville, Tennessee, a circular vessel was found by some workmen, resting on a rock at a depth of twenty feet. The bottom rounded upwards, and terminated at the summit in

36. Into how many and what classes may the aboriginal remains be divided? Of what do the first class consist? Of what, the second? 37. What metallic remains have been found? What was discovered at Marietta, O.? 38. What is said of the specimens of pottery that have been dug up? What was found at

a female head covered with a conical cap. Huge fragments of earthen-ware, as well as urns of elegant patterns, and large vessels regularly formed, have been found at great depths in some of the mounds described below.

19

20

At the Illinois state salt-works is a large pit 400 feet in circumference, which, besides ashes and fragments of pottery, contained the remains of a well and drain. Hence it is supposed that the manufacture of salt was here carried on many years ago. Similar discoveries have been made at other salt springs, and vessels have been dug up of a shape and strength suitable for evaporating water, as is now done in making salt. Well-burnt bricks, laid in the form of fire-places and

Nashville, Tenn.? Enumerate the Indian relics represented in the engraving. What was found at the Illinois state salt-works? What conclusion is drawn from

chimneys, have also been brought to light several feet below the surface, beneath trees that have stood for centuries.

39. The number of mounds erected by the early and civilized inhabitants of this continent is variously estimated at from five to ten thousand. Scattered throughout the whole region now occupied by the United States, Mexico, and Central America, they are most numerous in the two lastnamed countries, and on the banks of the Mississippi and the Missouri. Some of them seem to have been erected for religious purposes, others as means of defence, and a third class as burial-places for the dead. The last are the most frequent, and have furnished the greater part of the ornaments and urns mentioned above. A mound of this class, 150 feet around and 15 feet high, was opened some years ago near Lancaster, O. On a level with the surrounding surface was found a furnace of unhewn stone eighteen feet long, on which rested a well-moulded earthen vessel, containing twelve skeletons of men, women, and children. Around the neck of one of the small skeletons was a string of beads, shells, and arrow-heads. The bottom of the vessel bore marks of the action of fire, and beneath it was a great quantity of charcoal and ashes.

Eleven miles from Natchez, Mississippi, was a group of mounds erected for defensive purposes. One of these was thirty-five feet high, and contained an area of four acres on its top, from which rose several smaller mounds. In the middle of the summit was the mouth of a subterranean passage leading to a spring. The remains of a ditch are still to be seen around the base of the large mound; while its steep sides are marked with indentations and projections like those in modern works of the same kind. Ancient roads leading to this great work may still be traced; and many weapons, implements, and human bones, have been dug up in the neighborhood.

this? What else have been brought to light? 39. How many mounds are there estimated to be? Where are they most numerous? For what purposes were they erected? What were the dimensions of one opened at Lancaster, O. ? What was found within it? What was found eleven miles from Natchez? Describe one of these defensive works. What have been dug up in the neighbor