ANTHROPOLOGICAL PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

VOLUME XXXVIII, PART I

TEXTILE FIBERS USED IN EASTERN ABORIGINAL NORTH AMERICA

By A. C. Whitford

By Order of the Trustees of THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY New York City 1941

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

PUBLICATIONS IN ANTHROPOLOGY

In 1906 the present series of Anthropological Papers was authorized by the Trustees of the Museum to record the results of research conducted by the Department of Anthropology. The series comprises octavo volumes of about 350 pages each, issued in parts at irregular intervals. Previous to 1906 articles devoted to anthropological subjects appeared as occasional papers in the Bulletin and also in the Memoir series of the Museum. Of the Anthropological Papers 35 volumes have been completed. A complete list of these publications with prices will be furnished when requested. All communications should be addressed to the Librarian of the Museum.

The current volume is:—

VOLUME XXXVIII

I. Textile Fibers used in Eastern Aboriginal North America. By A. C. Whitford. Pp. 1-22. 1941. Price, $.25.

II. (In preparation.)

TEXTILE FIBERS USED IN EASTERN ABORIGINAL NORTH AMERICA

By A. C. Whitford

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

The author of this paper has studied the vegetable fibers used in fabricating objects in the ethnological and archaeological collections from the Indian tribes of the Mississippi drainage and eastward, now in the American Museum. The first task was to identify them and view them against the background of existing textile knowledge. The present paper reports these identifications and comments upon fiber samples from collections in other museums.

The writing of this paper would have been impossible without the generous and whole-hearted coöperation of many institutions and individuals. This assistance has ranged from the furnishing of specimens for determination, to advice as to methods, classifications, and the supplying of modern material for comparison. For specimens of classified plants to be used in the comparative work thanks are due to The New York Botanical Garden in Bronx Park, the Botanical Departments of the University of Wisconsin, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Georgia.

The standard histological microscopic methods were used for the determination of the fiber. Slides were made of both cross-sections and longitudinal sections and these were compared with previously prepared and classified modern material. When the specimen was too colored for microscopic examination it was bleached in a solution of Sodium perborate until clear enough for study. In charred material, when sufficient detail was preserved for identification the fiber sample was treated with Schultz Maceration solution, washed, dried, and fortified by saturating in a collodion solution. Occasionally, it was found necessary to stain the material and in this either Delafield’s Haematoxylon or Methylene Blue was used. In the differentiation of certain species, it was found necessary to make microscopic measurements of the length and width of the cells, but generally the shape, distribution, medullation, and other constant characters were sufficient for the identifications.

In the text and tables the following abbreviations are used for the names of the coöperating institutions:—

MONOCOTYLEDONOUS SPECIES

The fibers from monocotyledonous plants, as identified, are listed here. Approximately five hundred objects were sampled, so the frequencies for the several species should be given that denominator.

ARECACEAE, Reichenb. (Palm Family)

The palmetto (Sabal palmetto, Walt.) seems to have been an article of commerce as it was used by the Winnebago and the Iroquois, north of its northern limit of distribution. It was also used by the Cherokee. The Winnebago used the fiber in the production of stiff cords for their bags. In three bags in the American Museum the stiff cords are made from this material (50-7531). For burden straps the Iroquois used this fiber to produce stiff strong cords which were covered with cotton or other soft fiber (AMNH 50.1-1954). The Cherokee used it in the manufacture of basketry (AMNH 50.1-2141).

BROMELIACEAE, J. St. Hil. (Pineapple Family)

This Florida moss (Tillandsia usneoides, L.) was found in specimens from the Southern States only. The Koasati and the people who built certain mounds in Florida used it frequently. A specimen in the United States National Museum from the Parish Mound, Number 2, in Florida, consisted of a bunch of loose material. The Koasati material is in the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, and is represented by fibers from a blanket and threads on a spindle (1-8551).

DRACAENACEAE, Link. (Yucca Family)

Yucca (Yucca arkansana, Trelease) was encountered in one specimen from the Arkansas Bluff culture in a bundle of loose fiber (MAIHF 11-7429).

Yucca (Yucca filamentosa, L.) was found once in a heavy cord made by the cave and shelter people of Ohio (OSHAM 332-42)

Nolina georgiana, Michx., was found in two specimens, a moccasin (OSHAM 332) and a bristle-like fiber from the Spiro Mound (2718-K, Trowbridge Collection). It is possible that this plant may have been used very frequently in objects from caves and rock-shelters. It was not always convenient, however, to examine complete objects so that some occurrences of its use may have been overlooked, especially since these people commonly mixed several fibers. In the specimen in question, for example (OSHAM 332), Nolina georgiana and Eryngium yuccaefolium were identified. Similar combinations of fibers from widely different plants have also been noted; frequently, as in the example cited, a local plant was mixed with one found at a great distance.