954 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1897. 



or spearhead. The point, liowever, while tsyminetrieally formed and 

 thoroughly worked, i« not sharp, but is a well-rounded oval, inijjossible 

 for thrusting or piercing. 



On page 941 of the classification of arrowpoints and spearheads, 

 among peculiar forms, a certain series is shown as Class II, asymmet- 

 ric. These are there mentioned as being possible knives, and were 

 inserted to complete the classification, ^o opportunity then ottered 

 to investigate their true character or to bring out their peculiarities. 

 Plates 54 and 55 and fig. 195 are here introduced in continuation of 

 that investigation. The original of fig. 195 belongs to the collection 

 of Dr. Eoland Steiner. There are 122 specimens of this series which 

 arc represented by fig. 195 and certain si)ecimeus on Plate 55. They 

 resemble arrowpoints and spearheads, having the same stem, base, 

 shoulders, and barbs. So far as relates to the stem end, their resem- 

 blance is i)erfect, and they might belong to any class of stemmed 

 arrowpoints or spearheads. Some are rather thick and rude, but many 

 are thin and finely chipped. Their peculiarity is 

 their asymmetric form. They are lopsided, or one- 

 sided. The shoulder or barb is on only one edge. 

 The other has been chipped ofi' in the ruder speci- 

 mens from one side only, making a concave scraping 

 edge, i)0ssibly for arrow shafts, while the finer ones 

 are chipi)ed from both sides and are not concave; 

 but in both kinds of specimens the shoulder or barb 

 is on one side only, and that has been brought to 

 Fig. 105. ^^ smooth, sharp edge. An examination of these 



specimens, a number of which are shown in Plates 

 Georgia. 54 and 55, shows clearly their asymmetric character 



swner collection. Cat. N". r^jj(| uiakcs apparcut at a glance their knife-like 



171169, U.S.N.M. '^ ^ , 1 1 • 1 • 



appearance. A short handle attached with smew, 

 as in the case of ordinary arrowpoints or spear heads (Plate 45), or 

 with gum or bitumen, as in the California specimens (Plates 41-43), 

 will make a knife suitable for all known savage needs. 



All differentiation rendering them suitable for knives renders them 

 unsuitable for arrowpoints or spearlieads. They are heavier on one 

 side than on the other, which renders them lopsided and would throw 

 them out of the line of flight and destroy their efficacy as projectiles. 

 It is believed that even a slight examination demonstrates the correct- 

 ness of the conclusion that they were knives, rather than arrowpoints 

 or spearheads. 



Concluding the chapter on knives, it is deemed wise to introduce for 

 comparison a series of those which heretofore passed for and have been 

 recognized as knives. The author does not remember any specimens 

 of the asymmetric or unilateral form in Europe, except those liom 

 Solutre which do not belong to the Neolithic i>eriod. Knives were, 

 however, by no means rare among the prehistoric implements of that 



UNILATERAL KNIFE OF 

 YEIXOW FLINT. 



