Dentate Flint Spades. 



DENTATE FLINT SPADES. 



At the meeting of the Academy for June 4, 190G,8 Dr. 

 II. M. Whelpley exhibited a specimen of an Indian flint 

 spade with the edge of the cutting end distinctly dentated 

 by furrows extending back from one-half to one inch on 

 both sides. (See Plate A.) 



It is now generally believed that these furrows are the re- 

 sult of the mechanical action of the soil on the flint. Iron 

 spades, hoes and plow shares are sometimes similarly 

 dentated after long use. The dentated flint spades are al- 

 ways polished and show other evidences of much use. 



Such spades are comparatively rare, but may occur 

 wherever flint spades are found. Some are made of the 

 light colored Mill Creek, Union County, Illinois, flint and 

 others are from the brown "Tennessee flint." 



* Transactions Vol. 16. p. CXX. 



