FISH-CUTTERS. 



187 



rudely-shaped back without shoulders. In this uncouth, but very characteristic, 

 implement only the cutting-edge is ground Mr. Swan calls it an " ancient 

 knife for splitting fish." 



Fig. 335. (23372). 



Fia. 33G. (1S021). 



Figs. 335 and 336. — Fish-cutters of iron and stone. MakaU Indians, Neah Bay. 



The Greenland Eskimos, moi-e especially the women, use at present a semi- 

 circular iron cutting-tool (called oo/oo), which is hafted like a saddler's knife; 

 but formerly, before they obtained iron from Europeans, they employed knives 

 with blades of slate,'^ as did also the eastern Innuits south of Greenland. 



The resemblance between the modern cutters denominated "fish-knives" 

 and the older slate knives described by me is really striking, and hence it will 

 be deemed justifiable that I have claimed an analogous use for the latter, and 

 have mentioned them in connection with prehistoric fishing. 



* Sometimes of meteoric iron. 



