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166 ORNAMENl^S OF DEESS. of black oak batk was also used in this process of tanning. ^ -.^ . But to return to the attire a.nd ornaments of our native Tvonien. Nearly all had necklaces, not made from beads, for our Indians had not come in contact ■with the white man before, so knew nothing of these gaudy baubles, which in the future history of these children of nature were to become as valuable and as much prized as are diamonds and pearls by white folks. But many things were utilized to beautify their persons, such as, strings of teeth from animals, small bones cut into rings and dyed and strung; also small shells which abound in all the streams, (In after years these strings of shells were called wanm- pum and were used as money,) polished tortoise shells, which the Spaniatds averred were "turquois," believ- ing they were in Asia; for they thought the orna- ments were made of that costly material, which was then known to be procured only in Persia, and esti- mated as being very valuable for jewelry. But the old fellows were mistaken as to being in Asia, as weU as calling it "turquois, " for it was made from the back of the turtle or tortoise which abounds in the streams of Quivira. They have been seen as large as eighteen inches long and weighing fifty pounds, and the shell back or shield, whatever it is known by, is susceptible of a fine polish. Then some had selected small colored pieces of rock, there being a sreat variety in this part of the country, and drilled holes therein. So it need not be thought that there was no natural material with which to make ornaments; in fact the most wonderful, natural ornaments have been