PALEOLITHIC RACES 21 



from Greenland or other regions where this instrument has 

 obtained its most perfect form and development. Such 

 examples are generally of comparatively small size, skilfully 

 carved out of ivory, and especially distinguished by the form 

 and other characters of the perforation, intended for the 

 insertion of the arrow. It is invariably lozenge-shaped, and, 

 as Mr. H. Balfour points out with just insistence, it passes 

 obliquely through the implement. Both the form and direction 

 of the perforation ensure a good grip of the arrow-shaft, 

 and at the same time in such a manner as to minimise the 

 chances of bruising it during the operation of straightening. 

 In the Magdalenian implement, on the other hand, the hole is 

 always circular or cylindrical, and takes a straight course, at 

 right angles to the two faces. This difference, which impairs 

 to some extent the usefulness of the Magdalenian implement, 

 seemed to me at one time to offer a fatal objection to the 

 identification suggested by Prof. Dawkins ; but it now appears 

 that the Greenland form, with which we are most familiar, is 

 not universal among the Eskimo. Boas has figured an example 

 from Baffin Land, in which the hole is cylindrical, and appar- 

 ently takes a direct and not an oblique course. Between this 

 and the Magdalenian batons there is no essential difference ; 

 both are arrow-straighteners. There are some other Magda- 

 lenian implements perforated by several holes, which I should 

 have regarded as problematical, but for the fact that Boas also 

 describes a piece of bone, similarly perforated, as an arrow- 

 straightener, and expressly mentions that it is provided with 

 several holes of various diameters in adaptation to the various 

 thicknesses of the arrow-shafts. 1 



Although the Greenland arrow-straightener is a much 

 superior instrument to the Magdalenian, yet a remarkable 

 resemblance may sometimes be traced in their decorative form, 

 the heads adossee already referred to as a motive in Magdalenian 

 art being a frequent feature in the Eskimo examples. In both 

 cases also the handle of the straightener is incised with line 

 engravings representing animal forms. 



As connected with the chase, we may mention the bone pins 

 not uncommonly met with in Magdalenian deposits. These, 



1 Franz Boas, "The Eskimos of Baffin Land and Hudson Bay," Bull. Amer. 

 A/us. Nat. Hist. vol. xv. p. 84, fig. 117, New York, 1901 ; W. J. Sollas, Nature, 

 vol. 74, P. 372, fig., 1906- 



