RELICS FROM THE MOUXDS AND STONE GRAVES. 



139 



short-legged animal carved on the bowl and stem resembles, in the long claws, 

 in the scales upon the back, and in its general shape, the South American armadillo. 

 It is not known that any animal of this character ever existed in Tennessee. 



At the State capitol in Nashville, there is a small collection of aboriginal re- 

 mains, amongst which we observed several vases, a number of stone implements, 

 and two large pipes made from a light-brown steatite, and having the general 

 form of the large chloritic pipe from the aboriginal remains, near Murfreesboro. 



WeajJons. 



In the preceding chapters we have given descriptions and drawings of variovis 

 warlike implements found in the stone graves and mounds ; and it is evident that, 

 in the main, they correspond with those in use generally by the Indians of North 

 America, at the time of the discovery by Columbus, and even at the present day, in 

 regions remote from civilization. 



We have also called attention to the skill displayed in the manufacture of the 

 double-headed stone hatchet, and the long pike or " /Slo)ie Sword." 



Many of the arrow- and spear-heads were made with great care, and presented 

 an appearance of remarkable delicacy and symmetry. This was especially true 

 with reference to the small sharp arrow points found in some of the stone graves in 

 the burial mound on the banks of the C'umbcrland, opposite Nashville. The pene- 

 trating power of these must liave been very great. They seem to have been formed 

 so as to be fastened in the split end of the shaft, and to be readily detached after 

 penetrating the flesh. 



The implement represented in Fig. 75 has a very keen cutting edge, and, from 

 its oval shape, was probably used as a scalping knife, and fleshing instrument. 



Fig. 75. 



stone implement (Scalping Knife), from the valley of the Cumberland Eiver. One-fonrth natural size. 



The broadest portion of the stone implement, represented in Fig. 76, has a sharp 

 edge, and it is evident from its shape, that it might have been used as a dagger, a 

 scalping knife, or as a spear point. I have a long, sharp piece of silex with the 

 handle turned at an angle, which ■was evidently used by the aborigines as a dagger. 



Fig. 76. 



Chipped celt, from a stone grave in Cumberland valley. One-half natural size. 



