The above are the monocotyledons encountered in this survey, in all some twenty-four objects using this material. It should be noted that these materials are readily adaptable to use since they need very little preparation and are frequently used entire. Sometimes the fiber is removed from the surrounding materials by simply letting them ret. Yucca and Tillandsia are ordinarily used entire. The grasses were used as they were gathered, simply twisted or braided. Tillandsia is the only plant of this group which was used for the manufacture of fabrics as in the blanket above noted (p. [7]). The specimen of cornstalk was an exception and its preparation was evidently for a specific purpose.
Palmetto fiber is especially adaptable. At the base of the leaves, where they join the main stem is a large mass of more or less loose or loosely interwoven fibrous material which needs only straightening to be ready for use.
DIOCOTYLEDONOUS SPECIES
ANONACEAE, D. C. (Custard-Apple Family)
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba, L.) seems to have been universally used by all the tribes who lived where it flourished. Its use was apparently limited only by its distribution, for it was encountered sixteen times in the prehistoric material examined from Kentucky, Arkansas, and Ohio, as well as in historic objects made by the Menomini and Wisconsin Potawatomi. In the University of Wisconsin Museum is a bunch of prepared fiber (16422) from the caves of Kentucky. This fiber was commonly used by the cave and rock-shelter peoples of Arkansas for cords, mats, rope, and in all coarsely woven materials. A woven mat from Bushwick Cave is a fair example (MAIHF 11-6243). The Ohio cave and rock-shelter dwellers used the pawpaw for coarse bags and fabrics, for example, in a split bark bag (OSHAM 332-22). In the Milwaukee Public Museum are two bags in which this fiber was identified, one, from the Menomini (4570) in which only the weft is of pawpaw, and another (23287) from the Wisconsin Potawatomi, entirely composed of it.
APOCYNACEAE, Lindl. (Dog-bane Family)
The genera Apocynum is represented by both the species indigenous to the territory surveyed, but as Indian hemp is one of them, it was rather surprising how infrequently they were encountered. Only ten examples of its use were found.
This plant (Apocynum androsaemifolium, L.) which is called dog-bane is so similar in appearance and properties that it might well have been and was used indiscriminately with Indian hemp (Apocynum cannabinum, L.). The species was found three times in material examined. Its use by the Nanticoke in the manufacture of fish nets is demonstrated by a net (50.2-600) in the American Museum. A burden strap (50-7221) made from this fiber by the Iroquois is also in the Museum collections.
Apocynum cannabinum L., the so-called Indian hemp, was found seven times and of these is represented four times in the archaeological cave and rock-shelter materials examined. The Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, has a bundle of prepared fibers (11-7384) found at Allards Bluff, Arkansas. A dark colored piece of fabric, attributed to the Hopewell culture of Ohio, made in part from this material (957) is in the collections of the Ohio State Historical and Archaeological Museum. Another piece of cloth (1200) in the same museum is an Adena culture example of the use of this fiber. The Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, has a Sauk and Fox bag (2-4694) made from this fiber. In the American Museum a fish net (50.2-601) made by the Nanticoke and an Iroquois burden strap (50-7401) complete the catalogue of objects in which this fiber occurs. In many of the older specimens examined, the fiber was crudely prepared before twisting, but in the more recent Indian material it is well broken down and fine, so as to make small counts and even threads or cords.