364 



ETHNOLOGY. 



Having divided the grooved globular stones into weapons — the pog- 

 gamoggon (?) and sinkers for fishing-lines — we would now call attention 

 to a more primitive implement, "which we have no doubt was used 

 wholly as a sinker. Very probably such a sinker was improvised just 

 before starting out into the river or lake ; and again, as the globular 

 form is preferable, not being as likely to be caught by snags or clefts in 

 sunken rocks, it may be that a few flat stones were carried in the canoe, 

 so that if the good sinker were lost, a temporary one could be readily 

 provided. 



Figure 204 represents an ordinary specimen of these flat, oval-outlined 

 stones, with a well-defined notch chipped on each side, these notches be- 

 ing always opposite each other. No care appears to have been taken in 

 choosing the pebbles, other than that of not having them too thick ; in 

 thickness they vary little from about half an inch. 



Figure 205 represents about the maximum size of these flat, side- 

 notched sinkers. It measures a little over 4 inches in length and 2 

 inches in breadth. The notches are always in the middle of the speci- 

 men, so that the implement is balanced when suspended by a cord pass- 

 ing around them. 



The specimens of this class of sinkers vary but little in weight, but 

 curiously enough, and in confirmation of their suggested use, we have 

 noticed that the heavier specimens are found about the Delaware Eiver 

 shore, where the current is strong, and the smaller, lighter ones about 

 the creeks, and where the current is scarcely noticeable. About the up- 

 lands, where all relics are mingled together in the soil, both styles and 

 all sizes and weights of sinkers are, of course, found together, no single 

 form predominating, in a locality like the site of an old village. 



We have never met with a sinker like those figured in 204 and 205 

 with four notches, or with the globular specimens having more than 

 one groove, described by Professor Nilsson as found in Scandinavia. 



Chapter XXV. 



STONE IMPLEMENTS OF UNKNOWN USES. 



Our knowledge of the functions of stone implements is, as yet, too im- 

 perfect to enable us to determine in every instance the use to which 

 particular forms were put. A doubt as to their design is still connected 

 with some of the simpler forms, and it is, therefore, not strange that in 

 every large collection there should be a few specimens about which 

 nothing can be positively determined concerning the purpose for which 

 they were made. 



Figure 206 represents an excellent example of a highly-polished horn- 

 stone pebble, which has been cut off square at one end and worn to a 

 blunt but highly-polished edge along the curved margin. This would 

 afford a fine specimen of what we have denominated "skinning knives,'' 

 were the edge sharp. (See chap, xi.) As it is, however, the specimen 



