The Dolores star., 1923-01-12

such comparison did good very far. The
Indian rabbit stick is not boomerang although it
looks little like that famous weapon, because 1t
really does come back. This is only a sug-
gestion the innumerable ways in which fact
can be quickly separated from fancy by bringing
the objects themselves quickly to the study of the
investigator
Indians of the United States have the first floor
Of the institution largely to themselves. Many of
the collections are in a synoptic form which per-
mits the observer to see all the inside technique
Of the crafts Of the aborigines. The making of
pottery which begins with the rolling of the clay
into long. round strips through the glazing and
the coloring processes is revealed so that Ameri-
cans of the present follow the old-time crafts
man through all his labors
In the same way, the technique of Indian EN-
broidery and bead work is shown with all the de-
tail which could only be given these days by pro-
gressve photographs.
The Indians often were able to get silver from
the white men, which they pounded up into jewel
ry in designs of their The display of objects
in which this silver smithing skill of the aborignes
is traced, has an unusual appeal to adopts in metal
working.
The first floor comprises a very thorough dem
onstraton of the manners and customs of the In
dans of the United States and Alaska. Its largest
and most striking ornaments in appearance
towering totem poles from the Alaskan territory in
the carving of which the natives of the northern
wilds told their race and lineage and history.
Among the exhibits which are typical of the alb
original life of the United States medicine and
war bundles filed with charms and amulets which
supposed to aid the Indians in battle and in
the struggle of life. In respect they are not
unlike the fctishes Of the African tribes. The
strange rites that accompany the eating of the
drug peyote, are visuazed in the rattles and the
sashes used in those weird ceremonies of the Co
manches.
III this division of the museum there are many
remarkable garments which show the artistry of
the American Indian at its best. Women's dresses
ornamented with bend embroideres and decura
tions Of bone and elks' teeth have distinction
of style
Objects of remarkable value historically are ex
hibited on the second floor, arranged as far as
possible according to states. Visitors from all
parts of the country can therefore go directly to
those cases in which they will find specimens from
localities which they know. Arkansas for in
stance. holds the palm far for the most skill
fully chipped flint arrow heads. Two wampum
belts which William Penn got from the Indians
when he made treaty with them. and regarded
the finest belts of their kind in the world nre
credited to the Keystone state. New York is well
represented by the relics of the Iroquois The civ
of New York has contributed many important
finds, for their upper part of the island of Man
haitian was long a stronghold of the Indians, even
after the purchase of the land by the Dutch The
southwest will find many treasure from ITS lost
Seven Cities of Cibola"
Notable objects from Canada are seen I'm tbe
western half of the second floor. Among these is
an NlihiilS Uhioe 1eet III leDSth, shaped
from the trunk of one huge tree. In it are the
lances and the harpoons, and the floats of
hide which thrown overheard when the quar-
ry had been wounded
Romance walks with the visitor through every
aisle the third floor of the museum, for in that
part are seen the records of the culture of peo-
pies who were farthest advanced among the abor-
igines of the New World.
The finest example of incised Mayan pottery in
existence may be seen on the last exhibition floor
nIDd m o1o md
been sacrifcial vessel used In the worship of
the sun. The Mayas had disappeared from the
face of the earth when Columbus reached these
shores and the remains Of their civilization, which