372 



PALAFITTES, OR LACUSTRIAN CONSTRUCTIONS 



merons, generally small, but always elegant, tlie Llacle meastiring in length 

 from 10 to 20 centimetres. Most are furnished with a tongue which entered 



Figure 41. 



Figure 42. 



Figure 43. 



Figure 44. 



a handle that has not been preserved, but must have been of wood or horn, 

 (Fig. 41, 42;) others have a hnndle of metal, (Fig. 43;) others, again, are pro- 

 vided with a socket, (Fig. 44.) Two typos are distinguishable in the blades of 

 these knives : those which become gradually thicker from the edge to the back, 

 (Fig. 42,"! like our ordinary knives, and those which have the back abruptly en- 

 larged. The latter served, doubtless, for a special use ; both one and the other 

 are frequently embellished with designs on the side and back.* 



* From the fact that the orjo^inal of fissure 41 is covered with a, fine patina, it might be in- 

 ferred that this specimen was not derived from a palaiitte, but had been preserved in the 

 ground. In that case, it would pertain to the age of iron. 



