| OCR Text |
Show 1 6 2 PICTOGRAPHS OP THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. This unique diplomatic packet consists of several articles of symbolic import. The first is the official and ceremonial offer of the peace- pipe. This is symbolized by a joint of the maize, five and a half inches long, and half an inch in diameter. The hollow of the tube is filled by leaves of a plant which represents tobacco. It is stopped to secure the weed from falling out, by the downy yellow under plumage of some small bird. Externally, around the center of the stalk, is a tie of white cotton twisted string of four strands, ( not twisted by the distaff,) holding, at its end, a small tuft of the before- mentioned downy yellow feathers, and a small wiry feather of the same species. The interpreter has written on this, " The pipe to be smoked by the President." • * The object is represented in the cut, A, [ represented in Figure 63.] FIG. 63.- Part of diplomatic packet. The second symbol consists of two small columnar round pieces of wood, four and a half inches long, and four- tenths in diameter, terminating in a cone. The cone is one and a half inches long, and is colored black; the rest of the pieces are blue; a peace color among the Indians south, it seems, as well as north. This color has the Flo. 04.- Part of diplomatic packet. FIG. 65.- Part of diplomatic packet. appearance of being produced by the carbonate of copper mixed with aluminous earth; and reminds one strongly of the blue clays of the Dacotahs. The wood, when cut, is white, compact, and of a peculiar species. A notch is cut at one end of one of |
