[70] From the Algic, denoting a medal, a breast-plate or collar.
Objects of this kind were worn as marks of honor or rank. So far as
known, they were constructed from the most solid and massy parts of the
larger sea shells. Few instances of their having been made from other
materials, are known, in our latitudes. The ruins and tombs of Central
and South America have not been explored, so far as is known, with this
view. Nor have any insignia of this character been found of stone.
Nabikoáguna Antique. Fig. 1., Plate I. This article is generally found
in the form of an exact circle, rarely, a little ovate. It has been
ground down and re-polished, apparently, from the sea conch. Its
diameter varies from three-fourths of an inch to two inches. Thickness,
two-tenths in the centre, thinning out a little towards the edges. It
is doubly perforated. It is figured on the face and its reverse, with
two parallel latitudinal, and two longitudinal lines crossing in its
centre, and dividing the area into four equal parts. Its circumference
is marked with an inner circle, corresponding in width to the cardinal
parallels. Each division of the circle thus quartered, has five circles
with a central dot. The latitudinal and longitudinal bands or fillets,
have each four similar circles and dots, and one in its centre,
making thirty-seven. The number of these circles varies, however, on
various specimens. In the one figured, they are fifty-two. The partial
decomposition of the surface renders exactitude in this particular
sometimes impossible. This article was first detected, many years ago,
in a medal, one and a half inches diameter, found in an ancient grave
on the Scioto, in Ohio, and was supposed to be a kind of altered enamel
or earthen ware. The structure of the shell is, however, present in all
cases, in its centre. Its occurrence, the present year, in the ancient
fort grounds and cemeteries of Onondaga, identifies the epochs of the
ancient Indian settlements of Ohio and western New-York, and furnishes
a hint of the value of these investigations. A medium specimen was
examined, in the possession of I. Keeler, jr., Jamesville, very much
obliterated; another, of the minimum size, at James Gould’s, Lafayette.
The largest specimen seen, is one sent by I. V. V. Clarke, from Pompey
and Manlius. The Indians have no traditions of the wearing of this
species of shell medal, so far as known. It must be referred to the era
preceding the discovery.
Nabikoáguna Iroquois. Fig. 2, annexed. This article consists of a
metal, which is apparently an alloy. It is slightly ovate, and is
perforated in the rim, so as to have been hung transversely. Its
greatest diameter is two and four-tenth inches. There are no traces of
European art about it, unless the apparent alloy be such. Locality,
valley of Genesee river.
[Illustration: AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES—Plate II.]
Nabikoáguna Cameo, Fig. 3, 4. Plate III. This well sculptured article,
was discovered in the valley of the Kasonda creek, Onondaga county.
The material is a compact piece of sea shell. It still possesses, in a
considerable degree, the smoothness and lustre of its original finish.
Fig. 4 shews the prominence of the features in profile. At the angles
of the temples are two small orifices, for suspending it around the
neck. The entire article is finished with much skill and delicacy.
[Mifflin Gould.]
[Illustration: AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES—Plate III.]
Nabikoáguna Mnemonic. Fig. 1, plate IV. This is the head of an infant
represented in the fine red pipe-stone from the Missouri. Locality,
site of the ancient fort of the Kasonda valley. [I. Keeler, junior.]
[Illustration: AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES—Plate IV.]