A Further Contribution to the Study of the Mortuary Customs of the North American Indians

event the earth coming in contact with the body, and this custom has been followed by a number of different tribes, as will be seen by examples given further on.

[Illustration: FIG. 1.--Quiogozon or Dead House.]

Ancient burial.--The body was buried in a grave made about 2½ feet deep, and was laid always with the head towards the east, the burial taking place as soon after death as possible. The grave was prepared by putting bark in the bottom of it before the corpse was deposited, a plank covering made and secured some distance above the body. The plank was made by splitting trees, until intercourse with the whites enabled them to obtain sawed lumber. The corpse was always enveloped in a blanket, and prepared as for a long journey in life, no coffin being used.

Modern burial.--This tribe now usually bury in coffins, rude ones constructed by themselves, still depositing the body in the grave with the head towards the east.

Ancient funeral cerem