IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



31 



wide. It is 4;lj! inches between the extreme convexity of the cutting edges. The 

 cord of the cutting edges is 'if^ inches and from the center of the eye to the angle 

 on the cutting edge is 2J4 inches. The cutting edges are but slightly convex. 

 The sides of each bit are nicely worked, concave next to the eye then convex near 

 the edge. The cutting edge itself on each bit is nearly '\i of an inch thick. 



Stone implement, about ^J, actual size. (From Photograph.) 



I have examined all the literature at my command and fail to find anything 

 satisfactory as to what this instrument is or was intended to be. The point, how- 

 ever, to which I wish to call especial attention is a start made to drill the ej'e. A 

 hole is commenced nearly % of an inch in diameter. This was done in such a 

 manner as to leave a core. Now, what kind of a tool could this primitive man 

 have had to do such work? It seems to me we are limited to the supposition that 

 it was wood or bone. The cutting must then have been done with sand. Would 

 this be the only way to do such work with the means at his command? 



The implement from Louisa county is of Red Porphyry. It is supposed to be 

 a shuttle. It was found near Grandview, Louisa county, Iowa, and is now owned 

 by Mr. James Weir. I can hardly see how a stone so hard to work should have 

 been chosen when a much softer rock would have done equally well. 



The following measurements will give some idea of this instrument: The rim 

 of the open side is flat or all in one plane, 2^ inches long and l^l at its greatest 



