STONE AGE IN NEW JERSEY. 277 



Figure 45 is now dull along the whole extent of its edges or sides ; the 

 point lias been broken off, and a "blunt" point chipped subsequently, 

 which is now also weatherworn ; and the entire surface is now worn and 

 appears soft. The decomposition, however, does not extend very deeply 

 into the mineral, but appears to be rather a thin coating, as rust covers 

 exposed surfaces of iron ; and like the latter, too, the decomposed stone 

 coating this specimen protects the mineral beneath from further decay, 

 as the rust protects the metal. 



Figure 4G well represents that even smaller form of spear-point that 

 very nearly approaches the arrow-heads iu size. We have previously 

 considered it as the latter, but, by experiment with some of these inter- 

 mediate forms, we are satisfied that tlie arrow was never tipped with 

 specimens as broad as this, although occasionally an arrow-head was 

 made and used with equal or even greater length. The one in question 

 is of slate, the stem of which was formerly a little more prolonged, but 

 the difference between the size as figured and the unbroken spear-point 

 ■was trifling. It lias measured two and one-fourth inches in length by 

 one and one-half inches in width at the base. Any specimen, even of 

 this length, that was» narrower, we should class as an arrow-point. 



Figure 47 represents an odd form of relic, bearing resemblance rather 

 to a "scraper" than to either spear or arrow point. From close exam- 

 ination of the base, however, we are satisfied that it was not intended 

 for a scraper;* the condition of the chipped edges and point indicate 

 clearly that they were intended to be the useful features of the specimen. 

 Figure 47 is chii>ped from a mass of mottled slate, and has by use or long 

 exposure become quite smooth ; it measures two and three-eighths inches 

 in length by one and one-half inches in width at the broadest portion of 

 the basal half. It is not apparent how this specimen was secured to a 

 shaft, but the evident worthlessness of the implement, unless so attached, 

 renders it certain that, inasmuch as the form is by no means an uncom- 

 mon one, the aborigines contrived a satisfactory way of so fixing it. 



We have a large number of specimens of slate spear-points in our 

 cabinet, besides those of jasper, but no pattern that materially varies 

 from the eight illustrations herein given. 



Judging from Loskicl's description of the Indian manner of making 

 war, it is not probable that any considerable number of these spears 

 were habitually used for war-weapons. He says : " The offensive 

 weapons formerly in use were bows, arrows, and clubs. The latter 

 were made of the hardest wood, not quite the length of a man's arm, 

 and very heavy, with a large round knob at one end. Their weapon of 

 defense was a shield made of the tough hide of the buffalo, on the con- 

 cave side of which they received the arrows and darts of the enemy, but 

 this is now entirely laid aside by the Dela wares, &c." While noticeably 

 the "spear" is not mentioned among the weapons formerly in use, 



*Yidh Amer. Nat., vol. 7, p. 503, fijjj. 1:55. Ilorc it will be seen that wo have recon- 

 sidered the specimen as a tfue "scraper." 



