REPRESENTATIONS OF FISHES, AQUATIC MAMMALS, ETC. 



207 



tion of the tail, however, is produced by the process of pecking. Mouth and 

 eyes are indicated on both sides by incised lines. This specimen was obtained by 

 Lieutenant F. W. Ring from shell-heaps on the Stikine River, Alaska, which 

 Mr. Dall ascribes to a pre-Indian Innuit population. It remains uncertain 

 whether this rude relic was a mere trinket, or had some significance as an amulet 

 or a charm. 



Fig. 350. — Piece of slate worked into the likeness of a fish. Alaska. (9796). 



Similar doubts exist with regard to the object represented in Fig. 351. It 

 is a rather thin piece of ii-idescent Haliotis-sheW, cut with some skill into the 

 shape of a fish. The specimen, found by Mr. Schumacher on San Nicolas Island, 

 may have been a charm, or simply an ornament, if, indeed, it was not designed 

 for a more practical use, namely, that of an artificial bait employed in fishing 

 with a line. However, in view of its uncertain character, I have deemed it 

 preferable to refer to it merely as a fish-repi'esentation. 



Fig. 3.51.— Fish-shaped object of HaUotis-sheW. Sau Nicolas Island. (20429). 



The original of Fig. 352 on page 208, first brought to notice by Professor 

 Putnam, was dug out of the ground in a garden at Ipswich, Essex County, Mas- 

 sachusetts. The neighborhood of this place is mentioned as one particulary rich 

 in stone relics. I give Professor Putnam's description of the object in full : — 



" This stone was evidently carved with care for the purpose of being worn 

 as an ornament, and was probably suspended from the neck. It is of a soft 

 slate, easily cut with a sharp, hard stone. The markings left in various places 

 by the carver, showing where his tool had slipped, indicate that no very delicate 



