Plains Indian Studies - Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Plains Indian Studies - Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Plains Indian Studies - Smithsonian Institution Libraries
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146 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ANTHROPOLOGY<br />
FIGURE 17.—Freshwater mussel shells used by Frank and Adeline Wanatee in shelling green<br />
corn at the Mesquakie Settlement (scales = 5 cm).<br />
sented: Fusconaia flava (trans Rafinesque, 1820),<br />
Actinonaias cannata (Barnes, 1823), Lampsilis ventricosa<br />
(Barnes, 1823), and Amblema plicata (Say,<br />
1817). Two specimens represent valves from the<br />
same individual L. ventricosa. Four of the specimens<br />
are right valves; two are left. Modification<br />
of the ventral margins of the shells by use is<br />
observed on all specimens, but the characteristics<br />
vary. Chipping and grinding along the margins<br />
are the most noticeable characteristics. At this<br />
point I cannot satisfactorily document the reasons<br />
for the differences in edge wear. It is interesting<br />
to note, however, that the two valves from the<br />
same L. ventricosa, specimens "E" and "F", exhibit<br />
the same apparent characteristics which are different<br />
than those observed on specimen "C,"<br />
which is of the same species. On this basis I<br />
suspect some of the differences might be explained<br />
by (1) the size and age of the mussel prior<br />
to its death; (2) the duration of exposure to<br />
weathering and acid soil conditions prior to being<br />
collected for potential use as a tool; and (3) the<br />
length of time the particular valve had been used<br />
in shelling corn.<br />
In shelling the parboiled green corn, the Wanatees<br />
said that the clam shell is held in the right<br />
hand and the ear of corn in the left hand. The<br />
shell is grasped so that all four fingers are inside<br />
the shell and are curled up under its hinge. The<br />
palm and thumb are pressed against the outside<br />
surface of the shell along its upper border (dorsal<br />
margin or umbo). Thus the shell is held with its<br />
interior surface away from the person shelling<br />
corn. To detach kernels from the cob, the lower<br />
edge (ventral margin) of the shell is pressed down<br />
in between the rows of kernels. Individual rows<br />
are removed, one at a time, by a series of short<br />
twisting motions with the clam shell. Frank observed<br />
that "the back edge of the shell does most<br />
of the work."
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