Illustrated Catalogue of a Portion of the Collections Made During the Field Season of 1881Third Ann | Page 9

the perforations for suspension is
interrupted by a rather mysterious cross band, consisting of one broad
and two narrow lines. As this is a feature common to many specimens,
it probably had some important office or significance.
62847-62848. Mask-like shell ornaments. By a combination of
engraving and sculpture a rude resemblance to the human features is
produced. The objects are generally made from large pear-shaped
sections of the lower whorl of marine univalves. The lower portion,
which represents the neck and chin, is cut from the somewhat
constricted part near the base of the shell, while the broad outline of the
head reaches the first suture at the noded shoulder of the body whorl.
The simplest form is shown in Fig. 125. A more elaborate form is given
in Fig. 126.
[Illustration: Fig. 125. (62348.) Mask-like object of shell.]
[Illustration: Fig. 126. (62347.) Mask-like object of shell.]
These objects are especially numerous in the mounds of Tennessee, but
their range is quite wide, examples having been reported from
Kentucky, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, and smaller ones
of a somewhat different type from New York. In size they range from 2
to 10 inches in length, the width being considerably less. They are
generally found associated with human remains in such a way as to
suggest their use as ornaments for the head or neck. There are, however,
no holes for suspension except those made to represent the eyes, and
these, so far as I have observed, show no abrasion by a cord of
suspension. Their shape suggests the idea that they may have been used
as masks, after the manner of metal masks by some of the oriental
nations.
[Illustration: Fig. 127.--Shell gorget with engraving of a curious human

figure.]
62846. Engraved shell, Fig. 127. This very interesting object has been
fully described in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau. The figure
is so obscure that considerable study is necessary in making it out.
62930. Engraved shell, Fig. 128. This remarkable specimen has already
been described in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau. The
engraved design is certainly of a very high order of merit, and suggests
the work of the ancient Mexicans.
62816-62822, 62824, 62826, 62828, 62829. Shell beads discoidal and
cylindrical in form, made chiefly from the columellæ and walls of
marine univalves.
62825. Shell bead made by grinding off the apex of a large Oliva
biplicata. (?)
62827. Beads made from Marginella (?) shells.
62825, 62827, 62850-62857, 62782. Species of shell found in the
mound, some with the skeletons, others near the surface.
[Illustration: Fig. 128.--Shell gorget with engraved design representing
two fighting figures.]
The following genera and species are provisionally determined:
Unio multiplicatus. Uhio ovatus. Unio crassidens. Unio victorum.
Marginella (?). Oliva (?). Io spinosa. Trypanostoma anthonyi.
Anculosa subglobosa. Busycon perversum.
62823. A tooth-shaped fresh-water pearl, found with the skeletons.
ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.
62861. Fragments of deer-horn found near the surface of the mound.
62858. An implement of unusual form, made from a flat piece of bone,

found with the skeletons in the mound.
62859, 62860. Bone implements, needles and perforators, some of
which are well preserved and retain the original polish; others are in a
very advanced stage of decay.
Three boxes of human bones (not numbered).
FROM THE FIELDS AT SEVIERVILLE.
ARTICLES OF STONE.
62770. A small grooved ax, formed of a coarse textured stone,
resembling diorite. It is 4½ inches in length and 2½ in width. The head
is rounded and the cutting edge much battered. The groove is wide and
shallow, and the bordering ridges prominent. The blade thins out quite
abruptly. Presented by J. B. Emert.
62772. A celt 6¾ inches long, 2½ inches wide, and 1 inch thick. The
material is a compact, blue-gray, banded slate. The sides are straight
and a transverse section is somewhat rectangular. Both edges are
sharpened, and are very neatly beveled and polished. Presented by W. P.
Mitchell.
62771. A small celt of compact greenish slate; one face is flat, the other
convex. It is neatly made and perfectly preserved, the broader end
being oblique and sharp. It is 3-1/8 inches in length.
62777. A rude, much-battered celt of coarse sandstone or diorite. It is 4
inches in length by 2 in width near the cutting edge. The top is
somewhat conical.
62774. A large unsymmetrical celt made of coarse yellowish sandstone;
one side is much battered. The cutting edge is round and dull. It is 9
inches in length by 5 in width near the broad end and is 1½ inches
thick.
62785. A knife-blade-shaped object, apparently a fragment of a winged

ceremonial stone. The whole surface is smooth and shows no evidence
of use. It is made of fine-grained gray slate. It is 2 inches in length by
five-eighths in width.
62775. A bell-shaped