1892-'J3.] 



NOTES ON THE WESTERX DEN^S. 



51 



view is then trimmed to the proper shape by chipping off any too 

 prominent asperities, or blunting the edges, should these prove too sharp. 



The scraper is finally hafted, as shown herewith, by inserting it in the 

 cleft end of any stick at hand over which a rope or buck line is securely 

 lashed. This hafting is but temporary, as the stone part only ol the 

 implement is usually kept among the family chattels. 



To the unthinking reader unmindful of the straits to which man may 

 be reduced in the absence of the proper material and while too hard 

 pressed by more urgent needs to look for it, the above (Fig. i8) might 

 not be more than a useless piece of quartzite. But an experienced 

 archaeologist will not fail to detect therein unmistakable signs of human 

 handiwork, and its fine, if somewhat serrated edge will at once suggest 

 that it did formerly duty as a cutting tool. It is a salmon knife, which 

 served first to rip the fish open, and then to cut longitudinal furrows 

 through its flesh previous to exposing it to the action of the air. 

 The large flaking noticeable near its blunt end is not accidental, but 

 served as a grip for the thumb, while the index and medius fingers rested 

 respectively on the back or thick side and on the reverse surface of the 

 implement. 



Fig. 19. 



Fie 20. 



Figs. 19 and 20 represent stone knives* of different pattern and 

 use. They are skinning knives and their material is augite-porphyrite. 



* The Caiper word for " knife " is the same as that for " iron," viz., pzthih in Upper Carrier 

 and 9thes \\\ Lower Carrier. 



