Polished Stone 



137 



much discolored by exposure to the altar fire. It is difficult to deter- 

 mine the creature represented, but one observer suggests that a tadpole 

 is intended. The lower part, or base, is hollowed out as in a'boat stone. 

 There are four perforations ranging from 4 to 6 mm in diameter. Half 



Fig. 30. 

 Worked Object of Slate from Altar 2. 



of a pearl bead was found in one of the eye cavities. Fig. 37 shows one 

 of the most carefully executed carvings from the Hopewell mound. It 

 is made from dark green serpentine, and is highly polished. The body 

 is hollow, and is ornamented with six longitudinal grooves. There are 

 eight perforations. In one of these a close fitting, neatly made plug 

 of serpentine had been inserted. C. C. Willoughby describes this 

 object as follows : — 



Fig. 31. 

 Problematical Form in Stone from Altar 2. 



"It seems probable that the carving (Fig. 37) represents an owl, 

 somewhat conventionalized. The ear-tufts appearing over the eyes, 

 and the curved lines which extend backwards and downwards from the 



