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Some Connecting Links 7
form of a Greek cross -j-. It is raised about three feet above
the adjacent surface :
round
— 1
it is a shallow ditch exactly cor-
responding to its outline. Amongst other relics which have
been found on opening some of these mounds—are inscribed
shells or shell gorgets, as they have been styled, on the
supposition that they were, most probably, neck or throat
ornaments. One of the most remarkable is the so-called
bird gorget, in the centre of which is a cross of the Greek type,
placed within a circle, around which is a star of eight points :
an apparent combination of the Cross and the Sun. Opposite
the four arms of the cross are rudely drawn birds' heads.
Some of these ornaments have been styled spider gorgets
the centre of the disk having a figure of this insect. On some
of the latter is a Greek cross, a wheel cross, or a figure of
the cross only—without any other symbol, also a plain cross
on a disk of copper, and a singular form of the Svastika,
similar to one which exists as a mason's mark on the lower
platform of the Taj Mahal at Agra.
The aboriginal tribes of North America were also in the
habit of using astronomical symbols and signs to express
astronomical events. IVIany of these signs were common to,
and could therefore be understood by, different tribes, and
thus served as mediums of intercommunication when differ-
ence of language was a bar to nearer intercourse.
Such symbols were mainly the expression of religious
thought, whilst their sign language treated of the common
afifairs of life. It would appear that certain Indian tribes
had a conunon mythology, and a common astronomy; thus
such symbols would be easily understood by all.
The Black-foot Indians are in the habit of arranging