IMPLEMENTS OF STONE. 



211 



Spear or Lance Heads. — Great numbers of flint points are found which, it 

 is clear from their size and form, could not have been used for tipping arrows. 



Fig. 99 presents several of these, greatly reduced from the 

 original size. Nos. 1 and 2 were designed to be lashed to 

 shafts, previously drilled or split to receive them. There 

 are others, however, the manner of using which is not so 

 obvious. No. 3 is an example. It measures eleven inches 

 in length by two and a half in its greatest breadth. It has 

 been suggested that it was fastened at right angles to a 

 handle and used as a sort of battle-axe. In one of the mounds already several 

 times referred to (page 149) were found, amongst large quantities of fragments, 

 several perfect specimens of rather remarkable character ; one of which, beauti- 

 ,/»( fully worked from milky quartz, is herewith presented of 



half size (Fig. 100). The difficulty of accounting for the 

 manner in which they were used is scarcely less than in 

 \ '\ the instance last mentioned. It has been suggested that 



they were perhaps designed to be used in the construction 

 of swords, or offensive weapons, on the plan of those made 

 by the ancient Mexicans. These were formed by slitting 

 a cane or other slender piece of tough wood, and inserting 

 blades of stone, usually slips of obsidian, upon either side. 

 These were retained in their place by firmly lashing the 

 separated wood together, and filling the cavities with some 

 hard variety of gum.* The implement was wielded with 

 both hands, and, with its sharp serrated edges, constituted a very formidable 



A.H^t 



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t 



* The Spaniards entertained a strong dread of these weapons. Their historians tell some wonderful 



stories of their efficiency, and affirm that one stroke was sufficient 

 "T SCKCE E B to cut a. man through the middle or decapitate a horse. The form 

 P[^ )(,! of this sword, which was called mahquahiitl hy the Mexicans, is 



represented in the accompanying engraving (Fig. 101). 



The Pacific islanders possess similar weapons, foimed by 

 inserting rows of shark's teeth on the opposite sides of a staff 

 or sword-shaped piece of tough wood, and fastening tlie same 

 with colds of native grass. 



One of this kind from tjie Aleu- 



tian Islands is here engraved (Fig. 102). 



