86 



PREHISTORIC FISHING. 



with objects not very dissimilar, about the history and use of which we have no 

 accurate knowledge."* 



Fio. 112. Fio. 113. 



Figs. 112 and 113. — Siuk-stones from Walls, in Shetland. The larger is a roughly-flaked piece 

 of sandstone, and the smaller a water-worn beach-stone. In order to make the cord grasp these stones 

 securely, grooves are roughly cut in them iu the way indicated by the woodcuts. The larger stone is 

 8 inches long, and weighs 43 ounces ; the smaller, to which the hook is still attached, is 5 inches long, 

 and weighs 11 ounces. 



If, under these circumstances, I describe and figure some sinkers, I do it with 

 the mental reservation which the foregoing observations necessarily imply .f I 

 would also refer again to the difficulty of making a proper distinction between 

 line and net-sinkers, for even at present heavy line-sinkers and light net-sinkers 

 are used, and vice versa. 



* Mitchell : The Past in the Present— What is Civilization? New York, 1881 ; p. 141, etc. 



f The scrutinizing reader, I hope, will not find fault with me for describing, while treating of the neolithic 

 period, objects which may be of much later date. The possibility that some of them may be neolithic will be 

 accepted as my excuse. 



