INTKODUCTIOK. 



which they are made. This mode of eUissification, as stated, could not be 

 ajiphcd to the reUcs composing what is called the archaeological series, con- 

 sidering that the latter embraces a large number of specimens, and even 

 classes of typical objects, to which it would be hazardous to assign a definite 

 use; and this imcertainty attaches even to such common relics of the abo- 

 rigines as have hitherto been thought to represent well-recognized tyiaes. 

 Collectors, for instance, are very ready to class chipped stone articles of cer- 

 tain forms occurring throughout the United States as arrow and lance-heads, 

 without thinking that many of these siDCcimens may have been quite differ- 

 ently employed by the aborigines. Thus the Pai-Utes of Southern Utah use 

 to this day chipped flint blades, identical in shape with those that are usually 

 called arrow and spear-points, as knives, fastening them in short wooden 

 handles by means of a black resinous substance. Quite a number of these 

 hafted flint knives (Fig. 1) have been deposited in the collection 

 of the [N^ational Museum by Major J. W. Powell, who obtained them 

 during his sojourn among the Pai-Utes. The writer was informed 

 by Major Powell that these people use their stone knives with great 

 effect, especially in cutting leather. On the other hand, the stone- 

 tipped arrows still made by various Indian tribes arc mostly pro- 

 vided with small slender points, generally less than an inch in length, 

 and seldom exceeding an inch and a half, as exemplified by many 

 specimens of modern arrows in the Smithsonian collection. If these 

 facts be deemed conclusive, it would follow that the real Indian arrow- 

 head was comparatively small, and that the larger specimens classed 

 as arrow-heads, and not a few of the so-called spear-points, were 

 in womicn Originally set in handles and were used as knives and daggers. In 

 auc e(5). j-^jjj-jy cases, further, it is impossible to determine the real character 

 of small leaf-shaped or triangular objects of chipped flint, Avhich may have 

 served as arrow-heads or either as scrapers or cutting tools, in Avhich the 

 convex or straight base formed the working edge. Certain chipped spear- 

 head-shaped specimens with a sharp straight or slightly convex base may 

 have been cutting implements or chisels. Arrow-heads of a slender elongated 

 foi'm j)ass over almost imperceptibly into perforators, insomuch that it is often 

 impossible to make a distinction between them. Among the implements, 

 weapons, etc., that have been brought into shape by pecking or grinding 

 there are many types of immistakable character, such as axes, adzes, mauls, 

 mortars, pestles, pipes, etc.; yet here, too, not a few classes of objects are 

 met to which a definite use cannot be ascribed. Among the latter are 

 disc-shaped stones, pierced tablets, tubes, rings, pendants, and various other 



