twelve inches in circumference. The former was literally net-work, but the latter was simply two strings tied in the centre, and fastened in four places to the hoop; and both were sufficiently bagged to catch and preserve the ball. The net-work or strings were originally of wattup, the small roots of the spruce tree as used for sewing bark canoes;—afterwards they were made of deer-skin.
Among the Choctaws, Cherokees, Creeks, &c., each player carried two sticks, one in each hand. The ball was caught and carried between them. There was considerable difference in the play with one and with two sticks, and the former was by far the most expert, as it was the most difficult.
The manner of picking up with one stick was peculiar, and indeed, necessary, owing to its shape. As the ball lay on the ground, it was almost covered with the hoop, and by a peculiar twist of the wrist and arm from right to left, scooped up in one motion. The ball was thrown from it by a jerk, and could not be pitched as far as with the present stick, as it got but little impetus. The Indians dodged very little, except when the ball was caught or picked up in a
