316 SPARKS FROM A GEOLOGIST'S HAMMER. 



ive stages in the evolution. These, while taxonomically 

 successive, do not, it will be seen, present absolutely a 

 chronological successiveness. These facts, therefore, offer 

 exactly the same phenomena as are frequently met with 

 in palseontological studies. 



STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLOW. 



1. A sim2)Ie digging stick, the katta of Australia. This 

 primitive type, like the foraminiferal one in palgeontolog}^ 

 still survives. 



2. A two-pointed stick. Still used by the Bodo and 

 Dhimal of northeastern India. 



3. A hent (or angulated) digging stick or "hoe." The 

 tima of the Maories. Also the hacker of Sweden, from 

 ten centuries back to within a generation. A similar 

 but more finished tool was used in ancient Etruria and 

 in Syracuse. 



4. Bent piece of ivood, three fingers wide, fixed to a 

 handle. American Indians in modern times. Something 

 similar in early Rome. 



5. Shoulder-blade of an elk or buffalo (or a shell) af- 

 fixed to a handle. Modern American Indians. The Ameri- 

 can Mound Builders used a stone blade affixed to a handle.* 



6. Implement with metal blade fixed to a handle. The 

 Kaffir axe. 



7. Furrotv - crook or large hacker., drawn by hand. 

 Sweden, within ten centuries. 



8. Plow-crook, or furrow-crook with share and handles 

 separate. Sweden, within ten centuries. A similar im- 

 jjlement, drawn by men, with' rope attached, was used in 

 ancient Egypt. 



* C. Rau, Smiihsonian Annual Report, 1863, 379. 



