The skiffs of the Kodyaks (p1. 30, figs. 8–To) and of the Aleutians resemble those of the Eskimos, whilst those of the Kolushes are made of hollowed trees. The other Americans, who live inland near lakes and rivers, have not accomplished anything noteworthy in boatbuilding. They all use hollowed trunks of trees (p1. 37,fig. 6; f1.46, fig. 4), though fre quently they merely wade through the streams (p1. 48, Jig. 4). The round leather skiffs of the Mandaus (pl. 35; /5/. 36, Ar. r) and the balsas of Lake Titicaca are peculiar. The latter consist of double leather pipes, and are propelled by oars (pl. 53, fig. 17).
and llunling weapons have generally a loose point attached to the shaft by a long rope—a style which exists also among the eastern Americans (/5/. 38, 2). A bladder is fastened to the shaft, so that it will float 3o, fig. r). The hunter keeps the rope coiled on a frame in the forepart of the kayak, and the bladder lying behind him. As soon as he has cast his harpoon at an animal lie throws the bladder into the sea, whilst the rope is rapidly unwound by the animal in its frantic efforts to escape (151. 30, fig. For hunting sea-fowl the Eskimos use an iron-pointed spear with several bone barbs on the shaft (fiL 3o, fig. 3), which increase the chances of intercepting the irregular flight of the prey. They also use a peculiar throwing-stick.
Agriculture and was in a flourishing state among many tribes of North and South America at the time of the discovery. Maize, pumpkins, manioc, cotton, etc. were grown. The maize, which was pounded in peculiar mortars (ftl. 35, to the left), was the chief article of diet. The more barbarous tribes, of course, lived on the product of the chase (ft/.. 47, fig. 6; pl. 48, figs. 4, 9) and fishing.
Stock-breeding was not carried on extensively in North America, but in South America it is practised by many Caribbean and Brazilian tribes, and principally by the Pampas Indians, who can hardly be imag ined without their horses. In North America the dog was in ancient times the only domestic animal, and its flesh was used as food. The people now have horses also, and several tribes keep droves of cattle and sheep. They keep tame animals for amusement, such as birds, apes, deer, etc. 44, fig. 6).
drinks were first introduced to the north eastern Americans, in spite of their earnest opposition, by the Europeans; but several of the South American tribes had a liquor similar to the cava of Polynesia, and something like it is found among the Kodvaks in the north-west. Their universal use of tobacco is well known. Great atten
tion is given to the workmanship of pipes (pl. 32, figs. 12, 14-17). In the tombs of the Indians pipe-heads are frequently found, generally made of a much-prized reddish stone, and representing divers figures (fiL 38, figs. 7, 9, 10, 12), some of which have reference to the sanctity of the tobacco (fi/. 38, figs. 7, 9, 12), which they consider a gift of the Great Spirit, and use at every festivity and solemn transaction (pM. 32, fig. 15; fi/ 36, fig. 5).
cooking and table use they have pots (pi. 37, fig. 3), various earthen vessels (fii. 41, fig. 6; /51. 43, fig. 1; pi. 44, figs. I, 2, 3, 4, 8; pl. 45, fig. I), wooden bowls, which are sometimes nicely carved (p/. 3t, fig. 4), spoons (p1. 32, fig. 6; fii. 37, fig. 4), etc.
Industrial Eskimos possess great manual dexterity in bone and wood-carving, sewing, embroidering (1/. 31, fig. 13), braiding (X 31, 6; pi. 4o, fig. 6), and metal-working. They forge the metals cold, both copper (which abounds in North America) and iron (which they either mine or acquire by barter). They manufacture dagger-like knives with inlaid-work (pi. 31, figs. 7-9), rings, idols (p. 30, fig. 7), etc. The northern Athabascas possessed similar attainments; the other Indians generally used stone tools, axes (,51. 38, fig. 3), knives, etc. Discoveries made in their tombs show that they were more skilful at au earlier period; as, for example, the amulet (pi. 38, fig. 5) is made of copper. At present the barbarous South Americans accomplish very little (p/. 46, fig. 4; pl.
fig. 5).
Printing and Indian sculptures in stone—as, for in stance, the pipe-heads (p1. 38, figs. 7, 9, 12)—deserve praise. Though it cannot be denied that some of their carvings are quite handsome, still the industrial attainments of the Americans are insignificant. Their leather work (p. 36, fig. 6; j5/. 38, fig. 6) is excellent and tasty, and the paintings with which they decorate the leather are passable. They paint a record of their deeds or ancestry on their hide-cloaks (pl. 38, fig. 6), huts, shields, etc.; and these paintings are of great importance, being in the nature of hieroglyphics. They make similar records on memorial stones (p1. 32, fig. 2), on tablets of birch-bark, and on metal plates, all of which they sacredly preserve, and at times read for the instruction of their young people.