50 Mr. W. F. Stanley on an Example 
have not seen a finer piece of workmanship in any collection. In 
this specimen I wish to call particular attention to the marvellous 
technical skill in flint-chipping shown in the sharp saw-teeth 
notches cut uniformly along the symmetrically formed edges at 
distances apart of the fine teeth that only vary between forty-five 
to fifty teeth per inch. 
If one takes this implement in the hands, the sharp edges which 
cut the flesh show clearly that it was never intended for a hand 
implement; therefore it must in use have possessed some form 
of handle. Judging from the somewhat similar forms shown in 
our British Museum, which appear to be spear-heads of various 
periods, we may suppose it was the highest, or possibly the last, 
development of the form. This actual specimen, which was no 
doubt buried with its former owner, was probably used only as 
an official spear; its thinness makes it evident that it could not 
be used effectively for war or chase. I have made a rough 
diagram, from examples in our British Museum, of what may be 
the historical series of evolution spear-head, judging from the 
increased perfection of flint-work from the spear-head J exhibit. 
There is another form in the Seton-Karr collection, but whether 
this may be a later form I cannot tell. The workmanship of this, 
although fine, is inferior to that I exhibit. It may be observed 
that generally, as the quality of the work advances, the hollow 
shown at the tops of the examples increases in development. 
I offer a suggestion for the mounting—that it was lashed with 
raw hide into a crutch of the stem of a young fir-tree, placed 
in a cleft of an ornamental staff, fixed by asphaltum or one of 
the gums which abound in Africa, and held firmly in position by 
binding with linen-cord, as a state or ceremonial spear. 
The entire series of prehistoric hand implements for war and 
chase probably were the spear, the knife (of which I exhibit a 
specimen), the dagger, and the axe. There is no doubt that 
coarser implements were made for common purposes at the same 
period as the superior for state purposes. 
While in Abydos I had, as all other visitors have, a number of 
antiquities, found by the natives about the ancient tombs, offered 
to me, among which were a number of metal mirrors. These 
were sold for a few shillings each. One of these, when offered, 
particularly attracted my attention. It was smaller than the 
others. It was quite flat. It possessed a handle which held the 
mirror firmly, which is very rare, and it was of copper, as I found 
by trial with the nail-file of my pocket-knife. It struck me at 
once as being much more ancient than some others offered to 
me; that the handle was not decayed appeared to me very 
curious, as the handles of ancient mirrors in our museums, if 
present, are in a very decayed condition. The cause of this I 
