738 PAPERS RELATING TO ANTHROPOLOGY. 



Mortars. — Mortars are not very numerous. This is explained by the 

 fact that any hard stone which was flat and smooth would take their 

 place. The complete mortar could have been only an article of luxury 

 belonging to a cacique. 



Shall I designate as mortar that rounded concave stone with regular 

 grooves descending from the central point to the rim *? Although quite 

 hollow on its lower surface, I do not think it could have been anything 

 but the lid of a large vase, grooved or fluted in like manner. In fact 

 this mortar would have had no fixed position. It could not remain 

 stationary in the position necessary to make use of it. Or should we 

 not rather think that the maker of this piece wished to represent a mili- 

 form cactus so common in the Antilles ■? And in this case should we not 

 rather class it among the idols ? (Fig. 172.) 



Dishes. — There are but two dishes in my collection : 1st. A large one 

 of rude workmanship. The concavity only is polished; the exterior 

 rough and very irregular. 2d. A small oue of very remarkable finish. 

 It is in fact very well polished on all its inner and outer surfaces. 



Harpoon. — One single harpoon, slightly broken at the three extremi- 

 ties. The absent parts can, however, easily be restored in following 

 the lines traced on the body of the piece. This instrument is very 

 remarkable. 



Hoolis. — I have two hooks very different in form. Both are a little 

 broken, but easy to reconstruct by following the method indicated 

 above. 



Awls. — Awls are rare. My collection includes only two of them, but 

 I must state that the material employed is harder than that of the 

 ordinary tools and instruments. 



Chisels. — Chisels are numerous and of various forms and sizes. The 

 basil of the cutting-edge is perfect. Some of them are made of the 

 same material used in the fine celts, and, like the latter, have the 

 handsome glazing mentioned above. 



Vases. — I have only two vases. One is of guaiacum. The handle is 

 perfectly isolated from the body of the vase. This piece is of very great 

 interest. As the guaiacum is incorruptible, we need not be surprised 

 that it has come down to us. It was found at Bertram Creek, the last 

 quarter of Guadeloupe inhabited by the Caribs. Its edges are worn 

 and hacked, and bear evidence of having been a long time in the earth. 

 I have seen a small tortoise of the same wood found in a cave at St. 

 Vincent. 



The other in my possession is of stone. It is an astonishing piece 

 from its general regularity and its contour. 



Shall I class among the vases that small cup with a rather long- 

 spout? It rather resembles a spoon, and I think that it might be des- 

 ignated as such, taking into consideration the break, which leads us to 

 suijpose that a prolongation forming a handle formerly existed. 



