head I have examined. I received it from Dr. Satterlee, to whom I am much
indebted for the practical interest he has shown in this work.
MEASUREMENTS.
Longitudinal diameter, . . .
Parietal diameter, . . . .
Frontal diameter, . . .
Vertical diameter, . . . . .
Inter-mastoid arch, . . . . .
Inter-mastoid line, . .
Occipito-frontal arch, . . . .
Horizontal periphery, . . . .
Internal capacity, . . . .
Capacity of the anterior chamber, .
Capacity of the posterior chamber, .
Capacity of the coronal region,
Facial an g le ,................................................
6.8 inches.
5.6 inches.
4.2 inches.
5.5 inches.
14.7 inches.
4.1 inches.
14.1 inches.
19.9 inches.
86.5 cubic inches.
36.5 cubic inches.
50. cubic inches.
15.5 cubic inches.
79 degrees.
T H E MIAMI S .
The territory claimed by the Miamis and Piankeshaws (two tribes speaking
one language) may be generally stated as having been bounded eastwardly by the
Maumee river of Lake Erie, and to have included all the country drained by the
Wabash. The Piankeshaws occupied the portion bordering on the Ohio. On
the east they bordered on the Illinois; the boundary line being the dividing ridge
which separates the waters emptying into the Sabine creek, and the Kaskaskia
river, from those which fall into the Wabash.*
In physical character the Miamis do not differ from the other western tribes
of the great Algonquin-Lenape stock. Their fine athletic forms, aquiline noses,
and strongly marked angular faces, are noticed by all travellers. In intellectual
capacity they yield to no tribes in the west. Little Tortoise, the Indian philosopher
and friend of Volney, was a Miami i^so also, according to Captain Carver,
was the celebrated Pontiac, so long the krtful and implacable enemy of the
English during the past century.
Little Tortoise gave Volney the following account of the acute perceptions
of his tribe. “ We can distinguish every nation,” said he, “ at first sight: the face,
the complexion, the shape, the knees, the legs, the feet, are to us certain marks of
distinction. By the print of the foot we can distinguish not only men, women
and children, but also tribes.”*
With some admirable traits the Miamis mingle others that are truly deplorable.
They are excessively sensual, and like the adjacent tribes, their fondness
for spirituous liquors has reduced them to a very low state of degradation: the
graphic picture which Volney drew of their social condition fifty years ago, is
sufficient evidence of this fact.f
Their revenge was remarkable even among Indians; and to such excess was
this demoniac passion indulged, that the Miamis and Kickapoos once embraced a
society of men whose office it was to appease the spirit of revenge, whether
national or individual, by devouring prisoners taken in war. I t is further stated
that the members of this inhuman fraternity held their office by hereditary
privilege, and that their last celebration took place so recently as the year 1780,
since which time it has been discontinued.
Some of the Miami tribes have resisted every attempt at civilisation and
conversion, and remain uncompromising Pagans to this day.f Even the Jesuits,
during the French ascendancy, could make no impression on them; for one of
these missionaries declares that the tribes of the Illinois can only be converted by
a miracle from heaven.^
* View of the Climate of the U. S. p. 412. t Loco citat.
t Morse, Indian Report, Ap. p. 109. § Lettres Edifiantes, XI, p. 304.