are qualified by specific terms, adjective or substantive,
from the same class of languages, -or
fiom the English ; rarely from other sources. YÂ
nomenclature derived from such sources, appeared
preferable for these simple nbjects of1 savage
art, to one: taken from the ancient languages,
who.^e prerogative it haSi. so long, been, to furnish
terms for science and art.
CLASS X. ,v NAB|Kpicp^A.^'
Objects of this kind were worn as marks of
honor or rank. ;So far as known, they 'were''
constructed from the most solid and massy parts
of the larger sea shelly _ Few instance^ of their
■having been made; from other niaterials,* are
known, in Our latitudes., The ruins, and tombs
of Central and South America have not been
explored, so far as is 'known, with this, View.
Nor1 have any insignia of this character .ueen
found of stone.'
Nabikodgum Antique.(.Fig. HHThis article' is"
generally found in the form of an exact circle,
rarely, a little ovate. It has been ground down
and repolished,^ apparently, from the sea conch.
Its diameter varies from three-fourths titan, inch
to two inches. Thickness, two-tenths in the
centre, thinning out a little towards the edges.
It Is doubly perforated. It is figured on'thefkce
and its referse, with two parallel latitudinal, and
two longitudinal lines crossing in its Centre, and
.*From the Algic, denoting, a.medal, abreasf-phte 6r.;co]iar.
dividing the area into four equal parts. Its circumference
is marked with an inner circle,
corresponding; ih width to the cardinal parallels.
Each thus quartered, has
five circles, with a central dot. The latitudinal
and longitudinal bands or fillets,- havé each four
similar circled .and dots, , and tine in its centre,
making fhirty-êevèn. The number of these cir-
, “Jlfes varies,- however, on various specimens. In
the one figured, they are fifty-two. The partial
decomposition of the surface renders exactitude
in this, particular sometimes impossible,, This
article was first detected-, many years' ago, in. a
medal, one and a half inche^; diameter, found
man ancient grave on the Scioto, in Ohio, and
was supposed to be a kind of altered enamel or
earthcru^are. The structure of thé shell is,
however, present in all cases, in its centre. Its
occurrence the present year, in the ancient fort
grounds and cemeteries of Onondaga, identifies
31