WCP1410

[1]

Alfred R. Wallace:

Washington—city, D.C.

Dear Sir:

My information in regard to finding of the figure of the Llama-of which you inquire-is very meagre. I purchased it together with a few other prehistoric relics of the stone age, flint arrow points, stone axes, &c, of a typical "backwards-man", who was migrating from Marion Co[unty].,Ohio, to the west, with his family and household goods. The man was rough and uneducated, and profoundly ignorant of archaeology; but attached some value to the specimens, partly because others did, but chiefly because he himself had found them. He told me that he had "plowed up" the llama, together with many "Indian bones" and two of the stone axes and some of the flints, from a low flat mound in his field, while [2] preparing the ground for corn planting. He sold the specimens to me because he needed money to prosecute his journey. And this is absolutely all I know about it.

In styling it an "unfinished pipe" you possibly may be mistaken. It is ubdoubtedly of South American origin; but of unknown use. Permit me to refer you to page 134 of Vol. II. of the U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the years 1849-'50-'51-'52¹, where several similar objects-found in Peru-have been figured by Mr Thomas Ewbank. Or to the same author's book, "Life in Brazil"² &c, N.Y. 1856. Appendix, page 450, where the same figures are reproduced with the author's notes upon them.

My friend, Prof[essor]. <Chap. Ran>³, accounts for the presence of my specimen in an Ohio mound upon the hypothesis that it was probably brought to Florida by some one of De Sota's⁴ [sic] cavaliers who had obtained it in Peru while engaged there under Pizarro; and that it reached Ohio from there Florida by Indian Conquest, or through the channels of wide-spread Indian trade and barter. [3] If this supposition could be authenticated it would be an important instance of the now admitted fact that recent Indians practiced mound-building; and that the "Mound Builders" were the Indians-or their immediate ancestors-with whom De Sota [sic], and the other early explorers came in contact.

In conclustion I beg to add that I value your note of inquiry highly and regret that I cannot give you more extended information; that your books occupy prominent places in my library; and that I have never in my life read a book with such fascinating interest as I did your Malay Archipelago⁵.

With high esteem and respect, | I am sincerely yours,&c, | J.F. Snyder M.D.⁶ [signature]

Virginia:

Cass Co. Illinois

Feb[ruary]. 25^th, 1887.

[4]

Letter from Dr. Snyder about the Llama from the Ohio mound.⁷