sit for the dead,
the following theories by Dr. W. Gardner, United States Army, are given:

If we come to inquire why the American aborigines placed the dead
bodies of their relatives and friends in trees, or upon scaffolds
resembling trees, instead of burying them in the ground, or burning
them and preserving their ashes in urns, I think we can answer the
inquiry by recollecting that most if not all the tribes of American
Indians, as well as other nations of a higher civilization, believed
that the human soul, spirit, or immortal part was of the form and
nature of a bird, and as these are essentially arboreal in their
habits, it is quite in keeping to suppose that the soul-bird would
have readier access to its former home or dwelling-place if it was
placed upon a tree or scaffold than if it was buried in the earth;
moreover, from this lofty eyrie the souls of the dead could rest
secure from the attacks of wolves or other profane beasts, and guard
like sentinels the homes and hunting-grounds of their loved ones.

This statement is given because of a corroborative note in the writer's
possession, but he is not prepared to admit it as correct without
farther investigation.

_PARTIAL SCAFFOLD BURIAL AND OSSUARIES._

Under this heading may be placed the burials which consisted in first
depositing the bodies on scaffolds, where they were allowed to remain
for a variable length of time, after which the bones were cleaned and
deposited either in the earth or in special structures, called by
writers "bone-houses." Roman[73] relates the following concerning the
Choctaws:

The following treatment of the dead is very strange. * * * As soon
as the deceased is departed, a stage is erected (as in the annexed
plate is represented) and the corpse is laid on it and covered with
a bear-skin; if he be a man of note, it is decorated, and the poles
painted red with vermillion and bear's oil; if a child, it is put
upon stakes set across; at this stage the relations come and weep,
asking many questions of the corpse, such as, why he left them? did
not his wife serve him well? was he not contented with his children?
had he not corn enough? did not his land produce sufficient of
everything? was he afraid of his enemies? &c., and this accompanied
by loud howlings; the women will be there constantly, and sometimes,
with the corrupted air and heat of the sun, faint so as to oblige
the b