1889.] 



NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 



417 



ON A PETROGLYPH FROM THE ISLAND OF ST. VINCENT, W. I. 

 BY DANIEL G. BRIXTON, M. D. 



The rock-inscriptions or petroglyphs which are found in various 

 parts of the American Continent offer a curious subject of study, 

 and one that may ultimately furnish valuable ethnological data. 

 They appear to present definite characteristics both of subject and 

 technical execution extending over wide areas, but not repeated 

 outside of fixed geographical boundaries. 



The one which I submit to the Academy to-night was photo- 

 graphed by Professor Benjamin Sharp in the Island of St. Vincent, 

 "West Indies, last winter. 



The rock upon which it is inscribed is an ancient lava which 

 had flowed into the sea, making a spur into the water, from which 

 the inscription itself was about twenty feet distant. The lines were 

 about a quarter of an inch in depth, the edges rather sharply de- 

 fined, though from the nature of the rock and the action of the ele- 

 ments, they do not now present the appearance of having been 

 formed by a cutting implement, but rather of having been ground 

 in, as by a process of rubbing. Which of these technical methods 

 was employed is of considerable interest, as will shortly be seen, but 

 the present condition of the surface is such that the point must re- 

 main in doubt. 

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