48 RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA—PIERS. 
one is 6°75 inches in length and 3°75 in greatest breadth, and 
weighs 40 ounces. Both appear to have been formed from 
oval quartzite boulders such as are found on beaches. From 
near the groove, to the edge, they are neatly “ pecked” into shape, 
while the whole of the butt, above the groove, is smooth, being 
evidently the original surface of the boulder. The aboriginal 
worker in stone, was doubtless always ready to take advantage 
of such material as nature had already partially shaped, thus 
lessening his labour. The edges do not show signs of rough 
usage. The butt of the smaller one is intact, but that of the 
larger bears the marks of many light blows which probably were 
the result of its use in cracking bones in order to extract 
the marrow. 
These axes could have been employed in detaching birch bark 
and in girdling trees and so killing them preparatory to felling 
them by the aid of fire, the axe being again used in order to 
remove the charcoal as it formed. The tool would also constitute 
a formidable weapon. Prehistoric man made his few implements 
answer as many purposes as possible. 
An axe very similar to those I have described, is figured by 
Dr. Rau (Archelogical Collection of U. S. National Museum, 
figure 72). It was found in Massachusetts. I have never seen 
a Nova Scotian axe with the groove only on three sides, 
as shown by that writer in figure 73 of his work. 
Hammers.—A beautiful hammer-head (Fig. 95) is in my own 
collection. It is formed from an egg-shaped boulder, very 
slightly compressed on opposite sides. Its length is 3°50 inches, 
greatest breadth 2°50 inches, and its weight a little more than 19 
ounces. Midway from either end, it is entirely encircled by a 
“pecked” groove, which has not been smoothed by friction. 
This groove was formed in order to attach a handle. Its 
roughened surface would tend to increase the hold of the haft and 
its lashings, and the interposition of a piece of hide, which was 
quite probable, might account for the absence of any smooth 
surfaces in the groove. Each end shows distinctly the denting 
marks of numerous blows, but there are no large fractures. This 
