OF THE LAKE OF NEUCHATEL. 



359 



pierced from both foces, (see disk of Fig. 21.) In every instance tlie hole is 

 smooth throughout and very little contracted, nor is it unusual to meet with the 

 core or lump Avhich corresponds to the cavity. The patienee, perseverance, and 

 skill required to execute the perforation of such an object cannot but occasion 

 surprise, especially when performed without the help of metal. It was perhaps 

 effected by means of very thin flakes of silex fixed around a stock Avhich was 

 made to turn in such a way as to separate a portion of the stone which, when 

 the perforation was accomplished, would fall to the ground.* Precaution was 

 observed to enlarge the hammer at the place where the hole for receiving the 

 handle was situated, yet accidents would still occur, as is testified by the frag- 

 ments of those broken in the operation which are much more numerous than en- 

 tire ones. It might be that the instrument of perforation was fixed, and the 

 hammer itself made to revolve, as with our stationary graving implements. 

 Figures 13 and 14 represent a specimen in our collection. Like others of the 



Fiffure 13. 



**^k.. 



Figure 14. 



same type, it is perfectly unworn, which would seem to indicate that it was 

 rather a symbol of command than a weapon. We have seen one, however, in 

 the collection of Dr. Clement, which bears distinct traces of use. 



* It would be more simple to suppose that the piercing was effected by means of a cylin- 

 der or hollow tube. But this would imply the use of metal, and would assign our hammers 

 to the age of bronze, while as yet we know them as only pertaining to the age of stone. A 

 discovery has just been made of some very fine ones in the palafitte of Greng, on Lake Morat, 

 where there exists not a trace of metal. M. Lachmanu mentions not less than fifty of them 

 at the station of Nussdorf, (see Keller, 6th Report, p. 217,) which pertains to the age _ of 

 stone, though it is true that some have been found in the palafitte of Unteruhdingen which 

 is of the age of bronze. From the researches of M. Ley we learn that at the station of 

 Bodman (small lake of Constance) the hammer hatchets are limited to the upper archaeologi- 

 cal stratum, while they are wanting in the lower ; whence the author feels authorized to claim 

 for these primitive tribes a progress in civilization during the period of stone. 



