IMPLEMENTS OF STONE. 



211 



Spear or Lance Heads. — Great numbers of flint points are found which, it 

 is clear from tiieir size and form, could not have been used for tipping arrows. 



M^ 1 



Fig. 99 presents several of these, greatly reduced from the 



original size. Nos. 1 and 2 were designed to be lashed to 



shafts, previously drilled or split to receive them. There 



are others, however, the manner of using which is not so 



obvious. No. 3 is an example. It measures eleven inches 



in length by two and a half in its greatest breadth. It has 



been suggested that it was fastened at right angles to a 



handle and used as a sort of battle-axe. In one of the mounds already several 



times referred to (page 149) were found, amongst large quantities of fragments, 



several perfect specimens of rather remarkable character ; one of which, beauti- 



j0\ fully worked from milky quartz, is herewith presented of 



/ ,, half size (Fig. 100). The difficulty of accounting for the 



manner in which they were used is scarcely less than in 



the instance last mentioned. It has been suggested that 



they were perhaps designed to be used in the construction 



of swords, or offensive weapons, on the plan of those made 



by the ancient Mexicans. These were formed by slitting 



a cane or other slender piece of tough wood, and inserting 



. blades of stone, usually slips of obsidian, upon either side. 



These were retained in their place by firmly lashing the 



separated wood together, and filling the cavities with some 



hard variety of gum.* The implement was wielded with 



both hands, and, with its sharp serrated edges, constituted a very formidable 



^^ft- 





* The Spaniards entertained a strong dread of these weapons. Their historians tell some wonderful 



stones of their efficiency, and affirm that one stroke was sufficient 

 to cut a man through the middle or decapitate a horse. The form 

 FiG. 101. of this sword, which was called mahguahuil/ In- the Me.xicans, is 



represented in the accompanying engraving (Fig. 101). 



The Pacific islanders possess similar weapons, formed by 

 JA,^«4„gLjaA-staJafces £^ -^ Ji inserting rows of shark's teeth on the opposite sides of a staff 



or sword -shaped piece of lough wood, and fastening the same 

 witli curds of natJM' grass. One of this kind fiom the Aleu- 



tian Ibliiiids is liert 



Fig. 102). 



