ON CERTAIN TYPES OF STONES l^SED BY 

 THE ABORIGINES. 



llv H. Stuakt Dove, F.L.S. 



(Read April nth, 1910.) 



There are in North-west Tasmania two distinct types 

 of the Aboriginal relics, usually called Hammer or 

 Pounding Stones, but regarded by Dr. Fritz Noetling as 

 " sacred " or " magic " emblems. The photographs of 

 several in Dr. Noetling's collection appeared in an early 

 issue of the " Tasmanian Naturalist," also in the " Weekly 

 Courier," Launceston, of September 19th, 1907. 



The stones of type i are thick and heavy, usually 

 convex on both surfaces. Those of type 2 are thinner 

 and lighter, usually fiat on both surfaces. If any convexity 

 exists it is very sHght. Both kinds are more or less 

 circular in outline, but very frequently are longer in one 

 diameter than the other, and the thickness often varies 

 when taken at different portions of the circumference. 

 The largest example in my possession of the first type 

 measures 5^in. x 4^in. x i^in. in thickness, and weighs 

 3lbs. avoirdupois. One in possession of a friend is much 

 larger, weighing 5^1bs.; another turns the scale at 

 434 lbs., a third at 3^1bs. It is somewhat curious, as 

 they all come from the same district, that there should be 

 this regular gradation of lib. in weight. The 3lbs. 

 example just alluded to has been slightly treated on each 

 of the longer sides by chipping or hammering, and the 

 centre of both upper and lower surfaces bears marks of 

 repeated hard blows, causing a rough hollow of an inch 

 or rather more across, but not more probably than i-i6in. 

 in depth, although the dints are very perceptible to the 

 touch, and can be distinctly seen without a lens. 



The smallest example I have of this type measures 

 454in. x 4^in. x i^in. in thickness, and weighs just 

 under 2lbs. About half the circumference appears to 

 have been chipped or hammered, and then rubbed 



