FISH-CUTTERS. 185 



inserted, into a separate handle, probably of wood. A slit cut in longitudinally 

 below the projecting upper part, and not placed in the middle, but nearer one 

 end of the blade (for a reason to be explained very soon) facilitated the connection 

 of the two parts by means of a ligature. Professor Putnam and Dr. Abbott 

 figure in their before-cited publications a specimen from Massachusetts, showing 

 three longitudinal holes below the back, which in that instance forms a thin edge. 



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Fig. 332.— Stone fish-cutter. Pennsylvania. (8025). 



I have called these implements " fish-cutters," not for conveying the idea 

 that they were exclusively used for the purpose indicated by that name, but 

 because I believe that the cutting of fish was one of their chief applications. 

 There are in the National Museum handled cutting-implements of the same 

 shape, and partly of the same material, obtained from Innuits and Indians of 

 the Northwest Coast, and these tools are generally designated by tliose who sent 

 them from that region as "fish-knives," " knives for splitting fish," "halibut- 

 knives," etc., and it is sometimes stated that they are chiefly used by women. 

 I will give a few examples. 



Fig. 333, on the next page, shows a large, well-polished, and sharp-edged 

 slate knife, designed to be inserted into a handle. It was obtained by Mr. E. W. 

 Nelson from Eskimos of Norton Sound, Alaska. He calls it "a woman's fish- 

 knife," and draws special attention to the absence of the handle. 



In Fig. 334, also on the following page, I represent another slate knife, sent 

 from the same locality by Mr. L. M. Turner. It is set in a massive semi-lunar 

 handle of pine-wood. A ligature of whalebone passing through a hole in the 

 blade and fitting into a groove in the handle keeps both parts firmly united. 

 The cutting-edge of this tool is quite sharp. It will be noticed that the hole in 

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