366 ETHNOLOGY. 



common deer ; aud we believe we are not far from right in classing 

 figures 200 and 207 as "stretching implements," using that designation 

 as it is applied by Professor Nilsson. 



Figure 208 represents a very carefully-wrought stone implement, of 

 which we can say but little positively. It api:)ears to be a combination of 

 the ordinary grooved oval j)oggamoggon and the little stone hammer, to 

 be described in the next chapter. As either the one or the other, it is 

 a pretty specimen, but why the characteristics of two such different im- 

 plements should be combined is indeed puzzling. 



The general surface of the stone itself, as well as the groove and 

 deep indentations on each side, are worthy of notice. While not pol- 

 ished to any extent, this stone has a far smoother surface than the ma- 

 jority of either net- weights or hammer-stones. The groove is unusually 

 narrow, aud apparently has been ground out and not pecTced, as is the 

 case with net-weights. The hollows or indentations are much deeper 

 than those in any stone hammers in our collection, and, like the grooves, 

 are very smooth, as though drilled with a stoue drill, such as figured in 

 chapter xv, figure 155. 



There are no indications of battering or roughness at the ends, as in 

 all stone hammers ; and, indeed, if such were the intended use, why the 

 very carefully made grooves ? 



Our specimen, figure 208, bears much resemblance to two of those 

 figured by Professor Xilsson,* Mit is a combination of them, which we 

 think overturns the theory that the use of the two kinds of implements 

 was identical. If figure 208 had no encircling groove, it would be very 

 similar to an oval tool-stone figured by Sir John Lubbock.t This author 

 has not much faith in their having been stone hammers, and adds, 

 "It is very doubtful whether these implements really belong to the 

 stone age." 



Whatever may be the use of the specimen we have figured, it is un- 

 questionably a relic of the "stone age" of the North American aborigi- 

 nes, and one that was of value in its day, considering the character and 

 amount of the work on it. 



Figure 209 represents a very pretty specimen of those "discoidal 

 stones," about which there has been much conjecture. 



We think the following paragraph from Du Pratz's workf correctly 

 explains the use of the specimen we have figured : 



" The warriors practice a diversion which they call the gajiie of the 

 pole, at which only two play at a time. Each pole is about eight feet 

 long, resembling a Roman f, and the game consists in rolling a flat, 

 round stoue about three inches in diameter and one inch thick, with the 

 edges somewhat sloping, and throwing the pole in such a manner that 

 when the stone rests the pole may be at or near it. Both antagonists 

 throw their pole at the same time, and he whose pole is nearest the 

 stone counts one, and has the right of rolling the stone." 



* stoue Age, pi. ii, ligs. :U aud 33. t Prehistoric Times, 2d ed., p. 98, fig. 118. 



X Hist, of Louisiaua, 1720, p. 366. 



