90 NOTES ON THK HUNTINi; STICKS, ETC. 



CONCLUSION. 



Modoni researches have shown that stoue implements, 

 which cannot be distinguished from the rougher tero-watta, 

 have been found as tar back as the Middle Oligocene 

 (Fagnian). Unfortunately, there has lately ai-isen a discus- 

 sion as to the authenticity cf these specimens. Verworn 

 (32) holds in opposition to Rutot that these specimens were 

 made by natural agencies, and not bv human beings. Not 

 having seen the locxility wh.re the specimens were found, 1 

 cannot speak with the same authority as Verworn, who ad- 

 vances some seemingly strong arguments in favour of his 

 theorv. All I can say is, that I cannot distinguish the 

 Ai-chaeolitlies from the Fagnian, which Dr. Rutot kindly sent 

 me, from the Tasmanian tero-watta, and unless absolute 

 proof is forthcoming that natiu-al agencies can produce 

 tero-watta^like specimens, I maintain with Rutot the 

 artificial origin of the Fagnian specimens. 



However, to be quite on the safe side, I will begin with 

 those specimens whose nature as human handiwoi-k nobody 

 now doubts : the Archaeolithcs from the Upper Miocene 

 (Cantalian). As these implements are exactly like the 

 tero-watta, we may fairly assume that they were used for 

 the same purjooses as the former. The chief purpose for 

 which tho tero-watta was used was unquestionably the 

 manufacture of the lughrana (hunting stick) and perenna 

 (spear). All other pui-]5oses were subordinate to this one. 

 We may therefore conclud? that the Archaeolithes from the 

 Cantalian were used for a similar pvxrpose, and, what is 

 more, as, during the Upper Miocene, a mild if not warm 

 climate must have pi'evailed in Europe, the necessity of 

 warm clothing did not exist. The race that hunted the 

 Hipparion and manufactured the Cantal Archasolithes was 

 probably quite as naked as the Tasmanian Aborigines. Tliere 

 was therefore no necessitv for the use of a scraper in order 

 to prepare skins for clothing. 



Now, a difficult question arises ; we know that the 

 Aborigines used, together with the tme weapon, the peren- 

 na, an implement which cannot quite be considered as a 

 weapon, namelv, the lughrana (hunting stick). It may 

 have been used as a weapon, and a true weapon has even- 

 tually evolved from it, but the lughrana was, in the first 

 instance, made and used for hunting purposes only. It is 

 further verv probable that the lughrana is the nearest an- 



(32) Korresi)onden7.blatt, Dentsrh. Ciegpll. f. -Aiithrnp. Ktlinol. nnd 

 Vrgescli. XLI. Jahrg. No. 5 and 6, 1910. 



