The Meeker herald., 1923-01-13

such comparison did xood very far. The
Indian rabbit stick 10 not boomerang. although II
looks little like that famous weapon. because II
really does not come back This Is only sug-
gestion a. 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 nrst moor
Of the Institution largely to themselves Many OF
the collections are In \ 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 roltps OF the ray
into long round strips. through the ei' Nng anu
the coorng processes ID revealed. 30 Tat Ameri'
of the present can follow the oid-time craAts'
man through all his labors.
In the sumo way, the technique OF Indian en-
broidery and bead work is shown with all tile de-
tail which could only be given these days BY pro-
gressve photographs.
The Indians sften 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 smlthing skill Of the aborignes
s traced. has unusual appeal 70 adopts In metal
working.
The first floor comprses,a a very thorough DEM
onstration Of the manners and customs Of the In.
dians Of the United States and Alaska. Its largest
and most striking ornaments In appearance are
towering totem poles from the Alaskan territory In
tive carving Of which the natives OF the northern
wilds told their race and lineage and history
Among the exhibits which are typical Of the sb-
original life Of the United States aremeiIcne and
war bundles, filled with charms md amuiets which
were supposed to aid the Indians in battle and In
the struggle Of life In some respect they nre not
unlike the fctshes Of the African tribes. The
strange rites that accompany the eating Of the
drug peyOte are visualIzed In the rattes and the
sasfes used In those weird ceremonies Of the Co
manches.
In this division Of tile museum there many
remarkable garments which show the artistry Of
.ouln VvNu tNR naaf r{N<nna
ornamented with bead embroiderIes, and decora.
tions Of bone and elks' teeth have distinction
Of style
Objects Of remarkable value historically are ex.
hlbited on the second floor. arranged far
possible according to states Visitors from all
parts Of the country therefore go directly to
those cnses ip which they will And specimens from
localities which they know. Arkansas.. for In
stnnce, holds the palm NO far for the most skill.
fully Clipped nint arrow heads. Two wampum
belts which William Penn got from the Indians
when he made treaty with them. and regarded
ms the finest belts Of their kind In the world are
credited to the Keystone state. New. York Is we'll
represented by the relics Of the Iroquos. The city
Of New York Inns contributed many important
finds for their upper part Of the island Of Man
haitian was long Il stronghold Of the Indians, even
after the purchase Of the land by the Dutch The
southwest will tind many treasure from Its lost
"Seyen Cities of Clboln."
Notable objects from Canada seen In the
western half Of the second floor. Among these Il
an Indian whaling canoe, 80 feet In length. shaped
from the trunk Of one huge tree In It are the
iances and the harpoons. and even the floats Of
hide which were thrown overheard wien the quar-.
~ had been wounded
Rome nee walks with the visitor through every
aIsle on 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-
iglnea of the New World.
The finest example Of incised Maynn pottery In
--n,lA AlAln
It was found In Guatemala and seems to have
been a sacrincial 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