336 RUPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



known that the llama belongs to South America aud to the southern 

 part of North America. Among the discoveries of Mr. Cushiug, in 

 charge of the Hemenway expedition on the Saiado River, were rude pict- 

 ures aud outlines of animals which can only be likened to the llama 

 if they represented any living animal. Dr„ Washington Matthews has 

 made an investigation into this matter, aud his report with these figures 

 is in train for publication. It was, I believe, his opinion that no traces 

 or evidence of the existence of the llama in North America farther 

 north than the Saiado River had ever been found. It is not intended 

 by these observations to make any assertion with regard to the truth 

 of these matters, but only to offer them in the way of suggestion, as 

 affording subject for consideration. (Accession 21794.) 



REVIEW OF SPECIAL RESEARCHES. 



The continuation of researches as to the existence aud frequency of 

 occurrence of paleolithic implements in the United States has been 

 continued, aud the department is still in receipt of letters from persons 

 whose attention was called to the subject by Circular No. 3G. 



During the year 14 accessions, numbering in all 3031, were received 

 in this department for examination and report. 



On December 10, 1888, a circular letter in regard to a rude ciiipped 

 stoue ax or adze was sent to a large number of contributors to this 

 department, and responses have been received from fifty-two persons, 

 which will be given in a future report, when fuller information has been 

 received. (Plate X.) 



The examination of steatite bowls, trays, and plates affords an inter- 

 esting study. 



They have been investigated on the Pacific better than on the Atlantic 

 slope, though some ardent, intelligent seekers have made discoveries 

 which unfortunately have not been published. The most common form 

 is oval, boat-shaped, with handle at the ends. They are blocked out 

 rudely at the quarries and then carried away to be finished leisurely. 

 The marks of pecking and cutting are shown in Fig. 1, Plate XI, as is the 

 partly wrought handle at the end. This specimen is broken, as are 

 nearly all found in the quarries. Fig. 2 is a rude notched ax, said to 

 have been found in a quarry along with Figs. 3 and 4, all from Gooch- 

 land County, Virginia, and presented by G. W. Reed. The latter are 

 an adaptation of the common polished grooved stone ax (No. 4), being 

 more pointed than usual. They were evidently to be used with a 

 handle, and may have served to fashion either the inside or outside of the 

 bowl. Figs. 2 and 3 may have been used in quarrying. These, with the 

 many others of the same type and the numberless other industrial and 

 art objects of the same culture, seem to fix the epoch of the steatite 

 implements as neolithic and late Indian. The two implements, Figs. 

 .">, Pennsylvania, (5 District of Columbia, have no groove, and probably 

 were held in the, hand. Their points are peculiar, and with Fig. 4 may 



