he traces of ancient
mining in Michigan. Similar appearances are recorded in Missouri. As
copper was in demand among the Indians, and as it is probable that they
obtained much of it from the North, they may have continued to work
the ancient copper mines until comparatively recent times. Mr. Lapham
believes that the progenitors of the Indian tribes found dwelling in the
regions near these mines, carried on mining operations there. Dr. Rau
thinks it probable that small bands of various Northern tribes made
periodical excursions to the locality, returning to their homes
when they had supplied themselves with sufficient quantities of the
much-desired metal. The fact that many of the modern Indian tribes knew
nothing about these mines is not of much weight, when we reflect how
easily a barbarian people forget events, even those of a striking
nature.

We are apt to judge the culture of a people by the skill they display in
works of arts. The article on which the Mound Builder lavished most
of his skill was the pipe. This would show that with them, as with the
modern Indians, the use of the pipe was largely interwoven with their
civil and religious observances. In making war and in concluding peace,
it probably played a very important part. "To know the whole history of
tobacco, of the custom of smoking, and of the origin of the pipe,
would be to solve many of the most interesting problems of American
ethnology."<91>

The general decoration consisted in carving the bowl of the pipe into
the shape of some animal or bird. In some instances we have carved
representations of the human head. Such as these are of particular
interest and value, as they are probably faithful representations of the
features of the Mound Builders. This is a fine specimen found in one of
the altar mounds in Ohio. The method of wearing the hair is worthy of
notice. The holes placed in a row encircling the forehead and coming
down as low as the ears, were once filled with pearls. In some they
still remained when found, though they had been burned in the fire.
The lines upon the face obviously imitate the custom of tattooing the
countenance.

Illustrations of Sculptured Face and Face of a Female.-----

Scholars have called attention to the fact that Humboldt discovered in
Mexico a small statue which he supposed represented an Aztec priestess.
This statue had sculptured upon its forehead a row of pearls, worn in
the same manner as is represented in