XXXVIU 



PROCEEDINGS. 



while its depth was at least 9 inches in the thickest part and rounded on the 

 bottom, being evidently part of a beach-stone. It weighed about 200 pounds. 

 The upper surface was nearly covered by an accurately drawn figure of a moose. 

 The lines were very smoothly cut to a depth of from ^^ to ^ of an inch. A 

 careful examination of these lines through a magnifying glass showed none of 

 that stippled appearance usual in inscriptions made on hard quartzites by means 

 of a chisel or spike with sharp corners. I believe that only a flint implement 

 could have been used witii such effect. The stone was in my possession two 

 days and was returned to the owner after I had made a plaster cast ; and from a 

 carefiil drawing of this cast I have made the accompanying pen and ink sketch. 



/fS 





" In 1877 when the stone was brought to me in Yarmouth, the owner stated that 

 buried under the soil about 18 inches were several others variously marked, 

 grouped around this one in circular form. The owner believing that they in some 

 way were indicative of buried treasure declined to part with them. 



" A few years later than the above date, I was fortunate enough to have a call 

 from the late eminent Micmac scliolar. Dr. Rand, who was so much interested 

 in the above facts, that he made enquiries amongst the most intelligent Indians 

 of his acquaintance, and on his next visit to Yarmouth informed me, that a 

 legend existed amongst them to the effect that before the expulsion of the French 

 Acadians back to a remote period, tribes of Indians met in council once a year on 

 what is called Pubnico Point, but he could learn nothing as to the purposes of 

 these conventions or as to their duration. The figures on some at least of these 

 stones the Doctor regardeil as totems or insignia cf .-ank. 



" Recently, at my request, Mr. Ryerson visited the old stores where the moose 

 stone had been left, l)ut we could find no trace of it. His clerk reuiembered see- 

 ing it at his office aV)out a dozen years ago, but could not tell what had become of 

 it." 



