66 



IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



ware. A few of these fragments were on the surface; others 'were buried a few 

 inches. Some at least were very old. 



A few flakes were dug up between the loose rocks and a rude ax was found on 

 the surface. The place, frpquented at present by hunters and stockmen and 

 formerly by prospectors, is not likely to yield many relics of a portable kind at this 

 day. However one very interesting implement was obtained and has been pro- 

 nounced unique by the Bureau of Ethnology. This was found on the surface about 

 one-third of a mile below the excavations, having been transported presumably by 

 water. It is an oval-lenticular tool of quartzite, its greatest length, breadth and 

 thickness being respectively four and one-half, three and one-third and one and 

 three-eighth inches. One surface is somewhat rough and has been worked into 

 its present form, which nicely fits the hollow of the hand when the fingers are 

 slightly curved. The other surface is smoothly worn and shows distinct longi- 

 tudinal scratches; these, moreover, make a small angle with tlie line of greatest 

 length, which fact, together with its shape, curvature and markings, suggests 

 that the stone held in the concave palm, was used as a sort of pestle, by a vertical 

 motion against the sides of the larger excavations or "mortars." How much 

 reduction the pestle has suffered cannot be known. 



Other pestles may also have been used, but the large excavations were uniformily 

 pointed at bottom and would not permit the use of the ordinary sort. 



NOTICE OF ARROW POINTS FROM THE LOESS IN THE CITY OF 

 MUSCATINE. 



Read December 29th, 1891, by F. M. Witter. 



No other question has ever engaged the attention of man more than that 

 which relates to the origin and destiny of his race. 



Many theories have been advanced to account for man's origin and there 

 is likewise great diversity of opinion as to his destiny. 



Evolution, it seems to one, is competent to explain the natural order of 

 things from the crystal to man. Except we build on the sure foundation of 

 the past and present all speculation concerning man's destiny must be 

 conjecture. 



The geologic history of the earth is determined from its rocks and what 

 they contain. 



The beautiful and multifarious forms of nature's mineral flowers, the 

 legions of plants and animals whose impress are stamped in its rocky beds 

 form chapters in the history of our globe. 



So, too, the imperishable remains of primeval man, such as the cave-dwell- 

 ings, shell-heaps, earth-mounds and works of stone are the sources from 

 which the early history of this paleolithic man or man-like animal is derived. 



Man began his career as master of the world when he commenced the 

 use of fire and stone. 



The various forms of quartz, such as chert, flint, agate and obsidian, bore 

 to him the same relation that iron bears to us. 



