SINKERS. 



169 



Sinkers with four notches (Fig. 259 on the following page) also haA^e been 

 found, though not frequently, near Muncy, and in these cases the notches are so 

 placed that the stone was encompassed crosswise by the strings or thongs which 

 connected it with the net. One of the specimens in possession of Mr. Gernerd 

 is even provided with seven notches. 



Fio. 2.58.-31006 sinker. Susquebanna Valley (Muncy). 



The material of these sinkers is almost exclusively graywacke, a kind of 

 rock belonging to the geological formation of Muncy, and also occurring in 

 numerous pebbles in the neighboring creeks which empty into the Susquehanna. 

 The frequency of sinkers in this vicinity indicates that the Indians were much 

 engaged in fishing at this point. The Susquehanna is here about nine hundred 

 and fifty feet wide, very deep in some places, and well stocked with fish, such as 

 perch, pike, sun-fish, cat-fish, and eels. There existed formerly a shad-fishery 

 near Muncy, before the river was obstructed by dams. Formerly, however, fish 

 were still more abundant, and the locality, therefore, afforded the aborigines 

 great advantages as a fishing-station. The first white settlers found on or near 

 the site of Muncy a village of the Minsi or Munsey Indians, the Wolf clan of 

 the Lenni-Lenape or Delaware nation, and hence the name "Muncy." These 

 Indians probably made and used the sinkers found in the vicinity. 



The notched flat pebbles here described consist of graywacke, as stated, 

 being derived from one locality. In North America generally, however, any 



