212 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [May-Oct., 



Another hone (Plate IX, fig. 9), likewise of oval outline on the flat 

 face, is hollowed upon its opposite aspect, so that it comfortably fits 

 the thumb when the piece is turned edgewise in order to use the 

 lateral surfaces for abraiding — as has been freely done. 



One of the most interesting tools is roughly quadrangular in out- 

 line (Plate IX, fig. 4). Evidence of long and hard service is ap- 

 parent on one narrow side, as well as on the irregularly convex face 

 and in the deep concavity of its opposite aspect. The curve of this 

 hollow face is such as to suggest the spear-shaft and the paddle 

 handle, or the curved back of a bow, as objects which it had served 

 to finish, but the delicate friction lines, traversing lengthwise the 

 wide groove, suggest a more resisting material than wood. Such 

 a tool as this might have worked the bowl of a stone pipe or the 

 handle of that monolithic axe from Moundville, Alabama. 



Another of these artifacts is a little truncated pyramid (Plate IX, 

 fig. 10), its narrow base worn off diagonally, the angles of its long 

 sides sharply defined, and the apex broken away so as to leave in 

 doubt the problem of its possible pendent form. 



Lastly attention may be called to three pieces of worked hematite 

 (Umonite?) (Plate IX, figs. 1, 2, 3.) Upon the first (Plate IX, fig. 1) 

 a mass of limonite crystals, the primitive artificer has just begun to 

 work, as shown by a single rubbed surface. The second (Plate IX, 

 fig. 2) has been roughly blocked into circular f^rm, and the flat base 

 and convex upper aspect offer patches of po aed surface; while 

 in the third (Plate IX, fig. 3) the grinding and polishing has pro- 

 gressed farther so that the object takes on the form of the well- 

 known hematite cone. This piece was however far from finished, 

 as attested by the still irregular contours and the rough depressions 

 which the grinding down process has not yet reached. 



To sum up: certain iron ore objects of amygdaloid or oblong 

 shape, which, as a group, fall neither into the class of pendent orna- 

 ments, nor of weights used in fishing or weaving, are here identified 

 as probable hones and sinew-dressing tools of a special form. It is 

 hoped that the present study offers not only the description of a 

 hitherto undescribed type of stone artefact, but its interpretation 

 in terms of aboriginal life. 



Explanation of Plates VII, VIII, IX. 



The numbers on the specimens refer to Mr. Ginnane's catalogue. All figures 

 are shown natural size. 



